The sclerophyllous evergreen shrub vegetation of southern California and central Chile is characterized by several examples of morphologically similar species. For each one out of a group of four Californian shrub species, four morphologically analogous sclerophyllous evergreens from Chile were chosen. In monthly intervals two‐year branchlets from these eight species were collected and their cambium activity was evaluated by means of a histological analysis. Similar shrub species from Chile and California show a surprisingly strong coincidence in their seasonal fluctuations of cambium activity regardless of their systematic position. This observation is interpreted to mean that convergence has taken place.
Seasonal growth dynamics of the root and shoot systems of dominant shrubs of the Chilean matorral were studied. In some species root and shoot activity were synchronous, while in others production of fine roots was observed prior to bud burst and shoot elongation. Biomass production of new roots was significantly higher in spring than in autumn. Maximum biomass of dead roots was concomitant with the maximum amounts of litter under the canopy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.