title: Physiological adaptation and plasticity to water stress of coastal and desert populations of Heliotropium curassavicum L.
abstract: In spite of the ten times higher evaporative demand in a desert versus a coastal habitat, plants of populations of Heliotropium curassavicum from both show similar stomatal conductances in the field as well as under controlled conditions. The desert plants however have a plastic stomatal response to dry air growing conditions which results in a greater photosynthetic performance at negative water potentials. The root and stem resistance to water flow is lower in the desert plants resulting in the maintenance of a high transpiration rate without a large reduction in water potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Mooney