Zotz.& Beyschlag 2016 (Article) heteroblasty

How common is heteroblasty in Bromeliaceae? A plea for help in finding the answer

Author(s):—G. Zotz & J. Beyschlag

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society BSI_V65(3): 186-191. (2016)

Abstract:—In almost all plants, leaf shape and size vary during the development of an individual (= �ontogeny�). Normally, these changes are gradual and rather subtle, but in
a number of species there are abrupt and substantial modifications. Moreover, these changes may not be restricted to leaf form, but also affect other morphological features like leaf arrangement (�phyllotaxy�) or internode length. Goebel (1896) delivered the first formal description of these different developmental pathways. More than a century ago he introduced two terms: �homoblastic� species [from Greek �blastos�, shoot] show the typical ontogenetic trajectory with small and gradual changes in features such as leaf shape, whereas �heteroblastic� species are characterized by a substantial and abrupt transition.