How does leaf shape relate to temperature?
A study of leaves in the Proteaceae. Leigh, Andrea*,1, Nicotra, Adrienne1, 1 Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia ABSTRACT- While general patterns regarding leaf size have been demonstrated, little is known about why plants should have such a wide range of leaf shapes. Theories predict that temperature regulation plays a role in leaf shape evolution. The rate and extent of convective heat loss decreases with increasing size. Thus, we might expect lobed leaves to cool more efficiently than entire leaves of equivalent area. Although predictive and single-species studies exist, the relationship between leaf shape and temperature is yet to be tested in a rigorous, comparative manner. We are investigating the functional significance of leaf shape in the Proteaceae, a Gondwanan plant family containing species adapted to a range of habitats and climates. We studied 64 species from 10 tribes in the Proteaceae at the Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, NSW. Species were selected to re
