Dependence of the South African geophyte Boweia volubilis on its inflorescence for plant carbon gain

摘要

The largest organ of the eastern South African geophyte Boweia volubilis (climbing or sea onion) is the green inflorescence; leaves are small, ephemeral, and only occasionally produced. The reticulated inflorescence is also succulent. The goals of this study were to determine if the inflorescence of this plant is its sole source of energy and carbon, and if the inflorescence is capable of CAM photosynthesis. CO2 exchange of all plant organs was measured and, using their total biomass, used to calculate their contribution to the carbon budget of the whole plant. Diel fluctuations in tissue acidity were also measured in the organs.