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Comparative ecophysiology and anatomy of terrestrial and epiphytic Anthurium bredemeyeri schott in a tropical andean cloud forest

Abstract:

Water relations and anatomy of a casual epiphyte were studied at La Carbonera, a tropical cloud forest. Anthurium bredemeyeri growing as an epiphyte and in its terrestrial form were studied to find differences due to their different habits. Both forms maintained relatively high leaf conductances (0·12 to 0·15 mol m{squared minus}2 s{squared minus}1) when leaf ater potential was relatively high (above - 0·5 MPa). A lowering of the leaf water potential (below - 0·5 MPa) during the dry season, significantly affected leaf conductances in both terrestrial and epiphytic forms, the latter one to a greater degree. In terms of anatomy, a reduction in stomatal density was observed in the epiphyte, although no other differences were observed. The results show how the epiphyte was affected to a greater degree by a decrease in water availability during the dry season compared to the terrestrial form. © 1992 Oxford University Press.