The ‘hydrology’ of leaves: co‐ordination of structure and function in temperate woody species

ABSTRACT The hydraulic conductance of the leaf lamina ( K lamina ) substantially constrains whole‐plant water transport, but little is known of its association with leaf structure and function. K lamina was measured for sun and shade leaves of six woody temperate species growing in moist soil, and tested for correlation with the prevailing leaf irradiance, and with 22 other leaf traits. K lamina varied from 7.40 × 10 −5 kg m −2 s −1 MPa −1 for Acer saccharum shade leaves to 2.89 × 10 −4 kg m −2 s −1 MPa −1 for Vitis labrusca sun leaves. Tree sun leaves had 15–67% higher K lamina than shade leaves. K lamina was co‐ordinated with traits associated with high water flux, including leaf irradiance, petiole…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• AW
  Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• AA
  Arnold Arboretum