Responses of Trachelospermum asiaticum (Apocynaceae) seedlings to growth in a light intensity gradient

Abstract

AbstractWe recorded the growth of 24 seedlings of Trachelospermum asiaticum, a root climber, placed between a light source and a wall. Shoot length of seedlings planted at the brightest points nearly matched the distance the shoot tips moved toward the wall surface. In contrast, although the seedlings planted at the darkest points did elongate, the tips moved an average distance of only 0.4 cm. Creeping shoots of T. asiaticum planted in brighter environments exhibit negative phototropism, which encourages them to grow rapidly toward dark places, allowing them to reach supporting hosts faster than those that germinate close to the host.