title: Biomechanics and functional morphology of a climbing monocot.
abstract: Plants with a climbing growth habit possess unique biomechanical properties arising from adaptations to changing loading conditions connected with close attachment to mechanical supports. In monocot climbers, mechanical adaptation is restricted by the absence of a bifacial vascular cambium. Flagellaria indica was used to investigate the mechanical properties and adaptations of a monocot climber that, uniquely, attaches to the surrounding vegetation via leaf tendrils. Biomechanical methods such as three-point bending and torsion tests were used together with anatomical studies on tissue development, modification and distribution. In general, the torsional modulus was lower than the bending modulus; hence, torsional stiffness was less than flexural stiffness. Basal parts of mature stems showed the greatest stiffness while that of more apical stem segments levelled off. Mechanical properties were modulated via tissue maturation processes mainly affecting the peripheral region of the stem. Peripheral vascular bundles showed a reduction in the amount of conducting tissue while the proportion and density of the bundle sheath increased. Furthermore, adjacent bundle sheaths merged resulting in a dense ring of fibrous tissue. Although F. indica lacks secondary cambial growth, the climbing habit is facilitated by a complex interaction of tissue maturation and attachment.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany Institut für Spezielle Botanik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, D-55112 Mainz, Germany Present address: Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany linnea.hesse@biologie.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Linnea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hesse
authors.affiliation: Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neinhuis
keywords: Biomechanics; Flagellaria indica; climbing plants; functional morphology; monocotyledons; structural bending modulus; structural modulus of torsion; three-point bending; twist-to-bend ratio
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