Studies of Development in Larkspur. I. Form Sequence in the First Ten Mature Leaves

Abstract

The first 10 mature leaves of a group of double-flowering larkspur were studied in regard to the number of points (of a basic trichotomous pattern), the length, the area, and the area/length. A sequential relationship typical of the development of single organs was found for these characters when plotted against physiol. time intervals (leaf numbers). Relative growth relationships, as detd. by logarithmic plotting, indicated sigmoid rather than parabolic development. The number of points, as detd. by logarithmic plotting against area and length, should be regarded as resulting from segmentation of area. Factors underlying development of serial plant organs, and the use of relative growth studies in analyzing organ complexes are briefly discussed.