Towards a more dynamic plant morphology

Abstract

From the point of view of a dynamic morphology, form is not only the result of process(es) — it is process. This process may be analyzed in terms of two pairs of fundamental processes: growth and decay, differentiation and dedifferentiation. Each of these processes can be analyzed in terms of various modalities (parameters) and submodalities. This paper deals with those of growth (see Table 1). For the purpose of systematits and phylogenetic reconstruction the modalities and submodalities can be considered dynamic characters that have “states”. Each “state” of such a dynamic character is a more detailed process, hence not static. For example, determinate growth represents a “state” of the dynamic character (or modality) of growth duration. The processes of Table 1 can be applied to the whole plant kingdom (although in certain cases only some processes of the whole set may be applicable). Thus, the diversity of plant form is seen as a diversity of process combinations. From this point of view, change in form implies change in the process combination(s). Questions that arise are, for example, the following: Which process combinations actually occur? Which of these are the most frequent? How and why have process combinations changed during ontogeny and phylogeny? In comparative morphogenesis, process combinations are compared within an ontogeny or between ontogenies. The combinations may be repeated (i.e., conserved) or changed. Since repetition is limited, regularity that is the basis for structural categories is also limited or relative. With regard to change in process combinations, sequential change within an ontogeny and phylogenetic change between ontogenies can be distinguished. A large number of additional processes, such as heterochrony, that have been investigated by many zoologists and botanists, refer to these sequential and phylogenetic changes. General implications and consequences of the proposed approach are pointed out. As well, its limits, which are related to the language and concepts used, are discussed. The importance of a dynamic language is emphasized.