Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Diversity of Mechanical Architectures in Climbing Plants: An Evolutionary Perspective

  • Published:
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mechanical architectures of a wide range of climbing plants are reviewed from a wide phylogenetic range and evolutionary contingencies. They include an herbaceous lycopod (Lycopodiaceae) - a woody tropical liana (Apocynaceae), temperate climbers, herbs and shrubs (Ranunculacae), and two representative climbing palms (Arecoideae, Calamoideae). Trends in mechanical properties during development are reviewed and interpreted via changes in anatomical development of the stem and type of connection to host supports. The results indicate that there are some biomechanical features common to diverse climbing plants including (1) phases of relatively rigid stem growth where the climbing stem has to span between supports and (2) a mechanism to achieve greater compliancy towards the base or at points where the slender climbing stem is at risk from excessive mechanical stress. Evolutionary contingencies such as basal plesiomorphic constraint, complexification, simplification and developmental loss can drastically influence ways in which different plants have evolved different biomechanical climbing architectures. Two key developmental features controlling the biomechanics of the climbing stem are (1) the presence/absence of secondary growth and (2) the number, complexity and coordination of development of primary or secondary tissues with varying mechanical properties. Recent research has suggested that evolution of specialized climbing architectures can canalize subsequent evolution of alternative growth forms. The results suggest that the origin and type of climbing architecture can be heavily influenced by ancestral growth forms and architectures. Despite the extremely complex patterns of plant growth form evolution involving “escapes” to and from more specialized or simpler bauplans, selective pressure towards non-self-supporting growth forms is a remarkably persistent and iterative feature of growth form evolution in land plants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • WJ Baker J Dransfield TA Hedderson (2000) ArticleTitlePhylogeny, character evolution, and a new classification of the Calamoid Palms Syst Bot 25 297–322

    Google Scholar 

  • RM Bateman (1992) ArticleTitleMorphometric reconstruction, palaeobiology and phylogeny of Oxroadia gracilis Alvin Emend, and O. conferta sp. nov.: anatomically-preserved rhizomorphic lycopsids from the Dinantian of Oxroad Bay SE Scotland B228 29–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, RM (1996) “Nonfloral homoplasy and evolutionary scenarios in living and fossil land plants” In: Sanderson, MJ, Hufford, L. (editors), Academic Press, San Digo, CA, pp 91–130

  • RM Bateman PR Crane WA DiMichele P Kenrick NP Rowe T Speck WE Stein (1998) ArticleTitleEarly evolution of land plants: phylogeny, physiology and ecology of the primary terrestrial radiation Ann Rev Ecol Syst 29 263–292

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Carlquist (1988) Comparative wood anatomy Verlag, Springer Berlin 436

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlquist, S (1991) “Anatomy of vine and liana stems: a review and synthesis” In: Putz, FE, Mooney, H (editors), The biology of vines, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 53–71

  • L Civeyrel NP Rowe (2001) ArticleTitlePhylogenetic relationships of Secamonoideae based on the plastid gene matK, morphology and biomechanics Ann Mo Bot Gard 88 583–602

    Google Scholar 

  • EJH. Corner (1966) The natural history of palms Weidenfeld and Nicolson London 393

    Google Scholar 

  • Dransfield, J (1978) “Growth forms of rain forest palms” In: Tomilson, PB, Zimmermann, MH (editors), Tropical trees as living systems, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 247–258

  • TD. Evans (2001) A field guide to the rattans of Lao PDR Royal Botanic Gardens Kew 96

    Google Scholar 

  • JB Fisher FW Ewers (1989) ArticleTitleWound healing in stems of lianas after twisting and girdling Bot Gaz 150 251–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, JB, Ewers, FW (1991) “Structural responses to stem injury in vines” In: Putz, Fe, Holbrook, NM (editors), The biology of vines, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 99–124

  • JB Fisher HTW Tan LPL Toh (2002) ArticleTitleXylem of rattans: vessel dimensions in climbing palms Am J Bot 89 196–202

    Google Scholar 

  • F Gallenmüller U Müller NP Rowe T Speck (2001) ArticleTitleThe growth form of Croton pullei (Euphorbiaceae) - functional morphology and biomechanics of a neotropical liana Plant Biol 3 50–61 Occurrence Handle10.1055/s-2001-11750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BL Gartner (1991) ArticleTitleStructural stability and architecture of vines vs. shrubs of poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum Ecology 72 2005–2015

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentry, AG (1991) “The distribution and evolution of climbing plants” In: Putz, Fe, Mooney, HA (editors), The biology of vines, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 73–97

  • A Henderson G Galeano R. Bernal (1995) Field guide to the palms of the Americas Princeton University Press Princeton, New Jersey 352

    Google Scholar 

  • B Hoffman B Chabbert B Monties T Speck (2002) ArticleTitleMechanical, chemical and X-ray analysis of wood in the two tropical lianas Bauhinia guianensis and Condylocarpon guianense: variations during ontogeny Planta 217 32–40

    Google Scholar 

  • SB Hoot (1995) ArticleTitlePhylogeny of the Ranunculaceae based on preliminary atpB, rbcL and 18S nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data Plant Syst Evol 9 IssueIDsuppl 241–251

    Google Scholar 

  • S Isnard T Speck NP Rowe (2003a) ArticleTitleMechanical architecture and development in Clematis: implications for canalised evolution of growth forms New Phytol 158 543–559

    Google Scholar 

  • S Isnard NP Rowe T Speck (2003b) ArticleTitleGrowth habit and mechanical architecture of the sand dune-adapted climber Clematis flammula var. maritima L. Ann Bot 91 407–417

    Google Scholar 

  • JT Johansson (1995) ArticleTitleA revised chloroplast DNA Phylogeny of Ranunculaceae Plant Syst Evol 9 IssueIDsuppl 253–261

    Google Scholar 

  • JT Johansson RK Jansen (1993) ArticleTitleChloroplast DNA variation and phylogeny of the Ranunculaceae Plant Syst Evol 187 29–49

    Google Scholar 

  • WS Judd CS Cambell EA Kellog PF Stevens MJ Donoghue (2002) Plant systematics a phylogenetic approach 2nd Sinauer Associates Sunderland, MA 576

    Google Scholar 

  • KJ Niklas (1992) Plant Biomechanics: an engineering approach to plant form and function University of Chicago press Chicago, USA 607

    Google Scholar 

  • KJ Niklas (1993a) ArticleTitleThe scaling of plant height: a comparison among major plant clades and anatomical grades Ann Bot 72 165–172

    Google Scholar 

  • KJ Niklas (1993b) ArticleTitleThe allometry of plant reproductive biomass and stem diameter Am J Bot 80 461–467

    Google Scholar 

  • KJ Niklas (1994) Plant allometry, the scaling of form and process The University of Chicago Press Chicago 395

    Google Scholar 

  • KJ Niklas (1997) The evolutionary biology of plants The University of Chicago Press Chicago 449

    Google Scholar 

  • FE Putz (1990) ArticleTitleGrowth habits and trellis requirements of climbing palms (Calamus spp.) in north-eastern Queensland Aust J Bot 38 603–608

    Google Scholar 

  • Putz, FE, Holbrook , NM (1991) “Biomechanical studies of vines” In: Putz, FE, Mooney, HA (editors), The biology of vines, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 73–97

  • PM Rich (1986) ArticleTitleMechanical architecture of arborescent rain forest palms Principes 30 117–131

    Google Scholar 

  • PM Rich (1987) ArticleTitleMechanical structure of the stem of arborescent palms Bot Gaz 148 42–50

    Google Scholar 

  • NP Rowe (1988) ArticleTitleA herbaceous lycophyte from the Lower Carboniferous Drybrook Sandstone of the forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Palaeontology 31 69–83

    Google Scholar 

  • NP Rowe T. Speck (1996) ArticleTitleBiomechanical characteristics of the ontogeny and growth habit of the tropical liana Condylocarpon guianense (Apocynaceae) Int J P1 Sci 157 406–417

    Google Scholar 

  • NP Rowe (2000) ArticleTitleThe insides and outsides of plants: the long and chequered evolution of secondary growth. Plant Biomechanics 2000 - Proceedings of the 3rd International Plant Biomechanics Conference, Freiburg-Badenweiler . 129–140

    Google Scholar 

  • NP Rowe T Speck (1997) ArticleTitleBiomechanics of Lycopodiella cernua and Huperzia squarrosa: implications for inferring growth habits of fossil small-bodied lycopsids Meded Ned Inst Toegepaste Geowetenschappen TNO 58 293–302

    Google Scholar 

  • NP Rowe T Speck (1998) ArticleTitleBiomechanics of plant growth forms: the trouble with fossil plants Rev Palaeobot Palynol 102 43–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, NP, Speck, T (2003) “Hydraulics and mechanics of plants: novelty, innovation and evolution” In: Poole, I, Hemsley, AR (editors), The evolution of plant physiology, Elsevier Academic Press, Kew, pp 297–325

  • O Speck (2003) ArticleTitleField measurements of wind speed and reconfiguration in Arundo donax (Poaceae) with estimates of drag forces Am J Bot 90 1253–1256

    Google Scholar 

  • Speck, T, Rowe, NP (1999) “A quantitative approach for analytically defining growth form and habit in living and fossil plants” In: Kurmann, MH, Hemsley, AR (editors), The evolution of plant architecture, Royal botanic Gardens, Kew, pp 447–449

  • T Speck NP Rowe (2003) ArticleTitleModelling primary and secondary growth processes in plants: a summary of the methodology and new data on an early lignophyte Philos Trans R Soc Lond 358 1473–1485

    Google Scholar 

  • T Speck C Neinhuis F Gallenmüller NP Rowe (1997) ArticleTitleTrees and shrubs in the mainly lianescent genus Aristolochia s.l.: secondary evolution of the self-supporting habit? Plant Biomech . 201–208 University of Reading

    Google Scholar 

  • Speck, T, rowe, NP, Civeyrel, L, Classen-Bockhoff, R, Neinhuis, C, Spatz, H-C (2003) “The potential of plant biomechanics in functional biology and systematics” In: Stuessy, TF, Mayer, V, Horandl, E (editors), Deep morphology: toward a renaissance of morphology in plant systematics, Konigstein, Koeltz, pp 241–271

  • T Speck D Vogellehner (1994) ArticleTitleDevonian land plants with and without hypodermal sterome - A biomechanical analysis with considerations concerning the early evolution of the conducting and stabilizing system Palaeontog B 233 157–227

    Google Scholar 

  • PB Tomlinson (1990) The structural biology of palms Oxford University Press Oxford 477

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomilson, PB, Fisher, JB (2000) “Stem vasculature in climbing monocotyledons: a comparative approach” In: Wilson, KL, Morrison, DA (editors), Monocots, Systematics and Evolution, Melbourne, pp 89–95

  • PB Tomlinson RE Spangler (2002) ArticleTitleDevelopmental features of the discontinuous stem vascular system in the rattan palms Calamus (Arecaceae-Calamoideae-Calamineae) Am J Bot 89 1128–1141

    Google Scholar 

  • PB Tomlinson MH Zimmermann (2003) ArticleTitleStem vascular architecture in the American climbing palm Desmoncus (Arecaceae-Arecoideae-Bactridinae) Bot J Linn Soc 142 243–254

    Google Scholar 

  • NW Uhl J Dransfield (1987) Genera Palmarum: A Classification of Palms Based on the Work of Harold E. Moore, Jr. Lawrence Allen Press Kansas 610

    Google Scholar 

  • N Wikstrom P Kenrick (1999) ArticleTitlePhylogeny of epiphytic Huperzia (Lycopodiaceae): paleotropical and neotropical clades corroborated by rbcL sequences Nord J Bot 20 165–171

    Google Scholar 

  • N Wikstrom P Kenrick MW Chase (1999) ArticleTitleEpiphytism and terrestrialization in tropical Huperzia (Lycopodiaceae) Plant Syst Evol 218 221–243

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

NR and TS acknowledge funding from the European PROCOPE program over recent years. NR acknowledges funding from the Humboldt Foundation for research at the University of Freiburg. We thank Isabelle Morand for results forming part of her diploma thesis, University of Montpellier. This work was also supported from a grant to SI from the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) (France) for work at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan Province, China where we thank Chen Jin, Hu Jian-Xiang and colleagues for assistance with this project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botanique et Bioinformatique, , AMAP, TA 40 / PS2, Boulevard de la Lironde, F-34398, cedex 5, Montpellier, France

    Nick Rowe & Sandrine Isnard

  2. Plant Biomechanics Group, Institut für Biologie 2 and Botanischer Garten, Universität Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Thomas Speck

Authors
  1. Nick Rowe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sandrine Isnard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thomas Speck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nick Rowe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rowe, N., Isnard, S. & Speck, T. Diversity of Mechanical Architectures in Climbing Plants: An Evolutionary Perspective. J Plant Growth Regul 23, 108–128 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-004-0044-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-004-0044-0

Keywords

Profiles

  1. Nick Rowe View author profile