title: Comparative studies on phenotypic plasticity of two herbs, Changium smyrnioides and Anthriscus sylvestris.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310012, China. jchang@mail.hz.zj.cn
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Bao-hua
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Yuk-sing Gilbert
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: 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