Journal article

Publication year: 2011

Pages: 109-151

Journal: The Botanical Review

Volume number: 77

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0006-8101

eISSN: 1874-9372

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-010-9062-8

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Virtually all plants show a certain degree of variation among individual
metamers during ontogeny. In some cases, however, there are abrupt and
substantial changes in form and function (e.g. in leaf form, leaf size,
phyllotaxy, internode length, anthocyanin pigmentation, rooting ability,
or wood structure). These plants were called “heteroblastic” by Karl
Goebel more than a century ago, but the functional significance of this
type of ontogenetic change, the evolutionary trajectories in different
plant groups, even their frequency in the plant kingdom are still
unresolved issues. We argue that slow progress is partly due to an
on-going terminological confusion and the lack of distinction between
other developmental processes such as ontogenetic drift. This review
develops a conceptual framework for future scientific work, proposes a
quantitative index of heteroblasty, and discusses the evidence for
developmental regulation, functional significance, and evolutionary
implications of heteroblasty to provide a stimulating basis for further
research with this fascinating group of plants.

Harvard Citation style: Zotz, G., Wilhelm, K. and Becker, A. (2011) Heteroblasty - A review, The Botanical Review, 77(2), pp. 109-151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-010-9062-8

APA Citation style: Zotz, G., Wilhelm, K., & Becker, A. (2011). Heteroblasty - A review. The Botanical Review. 77(2), 109-151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-010-9062-8