Aconitum delphinifolium is found in northern climates and
prefers moist well drained soils. It is a sun loving plant, and its leaves are
hypostomatic to prevent water loss (Stanescu et al, 2009). In warmer climates it performs better with
some shade since it does not tolerate heat or water stress very well. It is
most often found in moist meadows, and along streams which have cool soil conditions (CYSIP).
http://www.pyreneanway.com/blog/2010/08/eyne-to-nuria-and-back/?lang=en
Since Aconitum is a perennial that grows from rootstock, it grows rapidly in
the spring after the snow melts when there are ample water conditions. If water
stressed the bottom leaves are often shed (Drinkwater, 2009). This makes sense because these
leaves are the largest, and lose the most water through transpiration.
References
CYSIP. "Aconitum Delphinifolium : Northern Monkshood." Flora.dempstercountry.org. Central Yukon Species Inventory Project, n.d. Web. 5 Feb 2014.
Cracknell, Steve. "Eyne to Núria and Back." Pyreneanway.com. Wordpress, 20 Aug. 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.
Drinkwater, Robyn. "Doff Your Hat." Botanics Stories. Edinburgh Botanics, 25 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.
Stanescu, I., C. Mardari, and C. Tanase. "Notes on the morpho-anatomy of Aconitum degenii gayer." Biologie Vegetala, 2009: 55-63.
Interesting. This plant is very abundant in snow-bed communities in alpine zones and seems to do very well in the aleutian islands. Probably due to the extremely wet and cool conditions there.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason the lowest leaves might be dropped under water stress is that they are likely the oldest, and therefore have the lowest photosynthetic rates, which means the cost to the plant is the lowest.
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