Growth, root respiration, photosynthesis, dark respiration, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll alb ratio were followed in two genotypes of Plantago major L. ssp major L., originating from an exposed and a shaded habitat, respectively, at two levels of irradiance. In addition, responses of these processes to a transfer of plants from one light condition to the other were studied. Genetic differentiation between the two genotypes was reflected in growth rate, photosynthetic activity, dark respiration and chlorophyll content. Individuals of the genotype originating from a shaded habitat were less inhibited by low irradiance: growth was less depressed at low irradiance, while the genotype of the exposed habitat seemed to be more restricted to exposed conditions. The adaptive plastic response of growth and physiological parameters upon an alteration in irradiance was very small. The shoot to root ratio was a stable plant characteristic in these experiments. Plants of both genotypes were probably damaged after a transfer from the low to the high level of irradiance; the growth of these plants was not stimulated by high irradiance, and the photosynthetic activity was even decreased. Plants, which were transferred to the low level of irradiance, showed an immediate effect of the change and no adaptive response was observed. Obviously, the ability to perform adaptive plastic responses, which was demonstrated in the non‐transferred plants after pretreatment, had been lost during the experiment and was confined to the seedling stage of individuals of the two genotypes.