Re: [aroid-l] Dear Botanists

It is a pretty safe assumption that any tissue with chlorophyll has the
potential to contribute to photosynthesis. As you say, why wouldn't it.
Dredging the depths of my murky mind, I remember seeing a paper some
years ago in which researchers shaved the long spiky bits (awns) that
most barley develops as part of each flower in the inflorescence, and
found that the yield of the crop was reduced. I have never shaved a
barley inflorescence from that day on, and feel the better for it. Derek

-----Original Message-----
From: aroid-l-owner@lists.ncsu.edu [a*@lists.ncsu.edu]
On Behalf Of Ted.Held@hstna.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 11:15 AM
To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu
Subject: [aroid-l] Dear Botanists


Dear all the good botanists on the list,

Do all green parts of a plant contribute to photosynthesis? Even stems,
midribs, and petioles? This would make sense to me. Why go to all the
trouble to make green pigment, which I assume to be chlorophyll, if it's
not intended to make sugars and whatnot? Sorry to ask such an elementary
question, but the botany books only seem to talk about photosynthesis in
relation to leaf blades. Sometimes even exposed roots turn green if
exposed
to light.

Thanks.

Ted.
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