The Movements and Habits of Climbing PlantsDarwin, Charles
Science
The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants
Darwin, Charles
Climbing plants; Geotropism; Plants; Plants -- Irritability and movements
As ferns differ so much in structure from phanerogamic plants, it may be
worth while here to show that twining ferns do not differ in their habits
from other twining plants. In _Lygodium articulatum_ the two internodes
of the stem (properly the rachis) which are first formed above the
root-stock do not move; the third from the ground revolves, but at first
very slowly. This species is a slow revolver: but _L. scandens_ made
five revolutions, each at the average rate of 5 hrs. 45 m.; and this
represents fairly well the usual rate, taking quick and slow movers,
amongst phanerogamic plants. The rate was accelerated by increased
temperature. At each stage of growth only the two upper internodes
revolved. A line painted along the convex surface of a revolving
internode becomes first lateral, then concave, then lateral and
ultimately again convex. Neither the internodes nor the petioles are
irritable when rubbed. The movement is in the usual direction, namely,
in opposition to the course of the sun; and when the stem twines round a
thin stick, it becomes twisted on its own axis in the same direction.
After the young internodes have twined round a stick, their continued
growth causes them to slip a little upwards. If the stick be soon
removed, they straighten themselves, and recommence revolving. The
extremities of the depending shoots turn upwards, and twine on
themselves. In all these respects we have complete identity with twining
phanerogamic plants; and the above enumeration may serve as a summary of
the leading characteristics of all twining plants.
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