Experiments

THE LECANOPTERIS PROJECT

Participants: Joe Holtum (JCU), Ashley Field (Aust. Trop. Herbarium, JCU)

Project: We are surveying for CAM photosynthesis in members of Lecanopteris (fam. Polypodiaceae), a genus of epiphytic ferns from south-east Asia, New Guinea and Australia. Lecanopteris not only have hollow rhizomes that may house ants but several taxa have thick leaves characteristic of plants with CAM. CAM is also known in the sister genera, Microsorum and Zealandia.

Progress: About a decade ago we demonstrated that L. sinuosa collected from Cape York, northern Queensland, can perform CAM. The experiments are currently being replicated. A facultative-CAM gas-exchange response has been seen.