Comparative studies on phenotypic plasticity of two herbs, Changium smyrnioides and Anthriscus sylvestris.
The endangered medicinal herb, Changium smyrnioides can only be found in deciduous forest gaps within the middle to northern subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forest zone of China. The considerable plasticity of its shoot and root structure helps it to capture light more effectively in winter and early spring, and to adapt to the soil moisture conditions in its narrow habitat. Another medicinal plant, Anthriscus sylvestris, is of similar economic importance but commonly dis-tributed widely. In contrast to C. smyrnioides, it has low structural plasticity. It is also specialized to adapt to the moist and sunny environment, where habitat, such as the banks of creeks and rivers, is abundant.
Chang
Jie
J
The State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310012, China. jchang@mail.hz.zj.cn
Guan
Bao-hua
BH
Ge
Ying
Y
Chan
Yuk-sing Gilbert
YS
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D019661:Apiaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D018533:Biomass; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development