Growth forms in Pappophoreae (Poaceae)

Abstract

The architecture of the branching system in species of Pappophoreae (Poaceae) has not been studied in detail. This work covers the spatial and temporal variation of the shoot system in species of Cottea, Enneapogon, Kaokochloa, Pappophorum and Schmidtia (Pappophoreae). Growth form variation of the species of Pappophoreae is related to the different functions of the axillary buds. We identify six growth form models within Pappophoreae. These models represent reference points along a continuum of variations that are characteristic of certain genera or species within a genus.