Functional traits of floral and leaf surfaces of the early spring flowering Asphodelus ramosus in the Mediterranean region

Abstract

In this study functional micromorphological traits and water repellent attributes of floral and leaf surfaces of Asphodelus ramosus are presented. The branched inflorescences of A. ramosus bear numerous short-lived flowers arranged on tall flowering stalks, while the basal long-tapered leaves are long-lived. The most striking feature of the short-lived flowers of A. ramosus is the surface structure of the coloured midrib and the white bilateral sections of tepals, revealing different functionality between the two sections of tepals and the two sides of the corollas. Structural features of adaxial and abaxial epidermal cells may function predominantly for water repellence of floral tissues expanded during the humid period of the year. The leaves are more water repellent than the tepals and display declining water retention on their surfaces. It appears that micro- and nano-scale patterns observed on leaf and tepal surfaces of A. ramosus are linked to hydrophobic properties, which are important adaptive traits contributing to the seasonal performance of A. ramosus in the field, particularly in regard to water adhesion.