Leaf development of the ostrich fern Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro

Abstract

The timing of emergence of the three different leaf types of Matteuccia struthiopteris is described from plants sampled over the course of a growing season. Vegetative leaves were first to appear, followed five weeks later by sporophylls and cataphylls. Leaf number and type, and total leaf dry weight per plant were assessed in weekly transects. Vegetative fronds contributed the most to total leaf dry weight, which increased during the first four weeks, and then remained constant for the remainder of the season. Cataphylls, although numerous by the end of the season, contributed little weight. Sporophylls occurred on the widest plants with the most vegetative leaves and greatest leaf weight, whereas cataphylls occurred on most plants except the smallest. Experimentally defoliated plants were re-examined in late summer. Following initial harvest, plants often produced a second smaller set of leaves. These were restricted to vegetative leaves and cataphylls. Ability to reissue leaves, especially vegetative fronds, declined very quickly after the first few weeks in the growing season. Defoliated plants draw on the extensive reservoir of developing leaves which are found on the rhizome, thus possibly diminishing the ability of the plant to withstand regular harvesting of the young fronds for food. Individual leaves were tagged and measured over the growing season. Non-linear regression curves fitted to the growth data for the three types of leaves indicate that growth was described best by a monomolecular growth curve for the vegetative and fertile fronds. Cataphyllar growth could be described equally well by either a monomolecular or a logistic function.