The Effects Of Ageing On The Hydraulic Conductivity Of GALAX URCEOLATA (POIR.)

Galax urceolata (Poir.) is a rhizomatous evergreen herb distributed throughout the understory of deciduous forests of the southern Appalachian mountains. Galax leaves persist for approximately three years, decreasing in their ability to assimilate carbon as they age. The focus of this study was to examine the hydraulic architecture of Galax and to determine if ageing petioles decrease in their ability to transport water to the leaf blades which might contribute to their decline in carbon assimilation.