Leaf Form and Panicle Height Variability in RumexacetosellaL.

Abstract

Abstract The variability of leaf form and panicle height of Rumex acetosella L. sensu lato was examined to separate genetic, developmental, and environmental components of variation. First seedling leaves were ovate and entire, subsequent leaves lanceolate to linear lanceolate, and uppermost cauline leaves linear and entire. The rate of transition of leaf form varied between populations and was accelerated by temperatures and photoperiods inducive to flowering. The allometric relationship between lamina length and width changed from about I for seedling leaves to less than 1 for cauline leaves. Seasonal changes of leaf form and environmental modifications of leaf form were related to changes in the proportion of vegetative and cauline leaves and allometric size effects on relative dimensions of mature leaves. Panicle height and leaf size were markedly modified by environmental factors and were of little value for taxonomic determinations of field samples. The greatest variability of leaf form occurred in ...