Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces
In low-light environments, plants face challenges in maximizing light acquisition for growth and reproduction. This study investigates the light-related adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth, a climbing annual vine commonly known as morning glory. Field and laboratory analyses...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/862 |
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| author | Zhanlin Bei Lulu Lu Zubayda Amar Xin Zhang |
| author_facet | Zhanlin Bei Lulu Lu Zubayda Amar Xin Zhang |
| author_sort | Zhanlin Bei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In low-light environments, plants face challenges in maximizing light acquisition for growth and reproduction. This study investigates the light-related adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth, a climbing annual vine commonly known as morning glory. Field and laboratory analyses focused on the functionality of its leaf and petal interfaces. We observed that tendrils of <i>I. purpurea</i> enable it to climb surrounding structures, optimizing light capture. The leaves display absorption peaks at 400 nm and 700 nm, typical for plants that absorb light in the red and blue regions, with microstructural features like protrusions and folds aiding in self-cleaning. Petals, exhibiting grid-like patterns and specific reflectance spectra, attract pollinators such as bees. These functional traits, including self-cleaning mechanisms and specialized light absorption, highlight <i>I. purpurea</i>’s unique strategies for thriving in low-light conditions. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential use of <i>I. purpurea</i> for urban landscaping, vertical greening, and ornamental plant selection. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d15ade559e3f4321a97c192b034ca5c6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-d15ade559e3f4321a97c192b034ca5c62025-08-20T02:42:25ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-03-0114686210.3390/plants14060862Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal InterfacesZhanlin Bei0Lulu Lu1Zubayda Amar2Xin Zhang3School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, ChinaSchool of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, ChinaSchool of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, ChinaSchool of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, ChinaIn low-light environments, plants face challenges in maximizing light acquisition for growth and reproduction. This study investigates the light-related adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth, a climbing annual vine commonly known as morning glory. Field and laboratory analyses focused on the functionality of its leaf and petal interfaces. We observed that tendrils of <i>I. purpurea</i> enable it to climb surrounding structures, optimizing light capture. The leaves display absorption peaks at 400 nm and 700 nm, typical for plants that absorb light in the red and blue regions, with microstructural features like protrusions and folds aiding in self-cleaning. Petals, exhibiting grid-like patterns and specific reflectance spectra, attract pollinators such as bees. These functional traits, including self-cleaning mechanisms and specialized light absorption, highlight <i>I. purpurea</i>’s unique strategies for thriving in low-light conditions. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential use of <i>I. purpurea</i> for urban landscaping, vertical greening, and ornamental plant selection.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/862<i>Ipomoea purpurea</i>light adaptationsleaf and petal interfacespollinator attractionself-cleaning |
| spellingShingle | Zhanlin Bei Lulu Lu Zubayda Amar Xin Zhang Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces Plants <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> light adaptations leaf and petal interfaces pollinator attraction self-cleaning |
| title | Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces |
| title_full | Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces |
| title_fullStr | Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces |
| title_short | Light Adaptations of <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> (L.) Roth: Functional Analysis of Leaf and Petal Interfaces |
| title_sort | light adaptations of i ipomoea purpurea i l roth functional analysis of leaf and petal interfaces |
| topic | <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> light adaptations leaf and petal interfaces pollinator attraction self-cleaning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/862 |
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