Geometry, Allometry and Biomechanics of Fern Leaf Petioles: Their Significance for the Evolution of Functional and Ecological Diversity Within the Pteridaceae
Herbaceous plants rely on a combination of turgor, ground tissues and geometry for mechanical support of leaves and stems.Unlike most angiosperms however, ferns employ a sub-dermal layer of fibers, known as a hypodermal sterome, for support of their leaves.The sterome is nearly ubiquitous in ferns, but nothing is known about its role in leaf biomec