Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 23:24:03 -0300 (BRT) From: fe_riva@uol.com.br To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg823$foo@default> Subject: Re:G.aurea
Hello Richard,
>Any thoughts on the thick goo on G. aurea leaves, any
>ecological purpose. It makes the drying of leaves in silica a pain as
>it is difficult to wash off.
Silica gel? Wait till you try drying it off for herbarium
specimens!! You get more newspaper than G.aurea! My trick in
the field (developed after a few years...) was to first wipe
the goo off on my trousers and then put it in the herbarium
press.\
As for the function of the mucilage, I've discussed this with a
few other people before, including on the listserv. My
conclusion was that it serves to protect from predators,
possibly snails and slugs. Fire protection was ruled out since
these plants (and others which have them to a lesser degree like
U.pubescens + G.pygmaea) usually are not affected by fires where
they grow (G.aurea and U.pubescens perennials in boggy areas
while G.pygmaea dead (dormant??) by the time dry season fires
sweep the mountainsides).
Take Care,
Fernando Rivadavia
Sao Paulo, Brazil (but temporarily in the USA again for work)
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