Submerged hydrophytes, like Stylites andicola, and young Quercus rubra leaves lack stomata.
What are Stomata?
Stomata are tiny pores found on the surface of leaves and other plant organs. They regulate gas exchange, allowing carbon dioxide intake for photosynthesis and oxygen release, as well as water vapor release through transpiration. The presence or absence of stomata is largely determined by the plant's environment and its survival strategy.
Plants Without Stomata: Examples and Reasons
Several types of plants have evolved to survive without stomata:
-
Submerged Aquatic Plants (Hydrophytes): These plants, such as submerged hydrophytes, live entirely underwater. Since they don't need to regulate water loss through transpiration, they don't require stomata. [Submerged hydrophytes are plants that stay fully submerged under the water. They do not contain stomata as no transpiration is required in these plants. ]
-
Specific Terrestrial Plants: Stylites andicola is a terrestrial plant that lacks stomata. It obtains its CO2 through a different mechanism, showing adaptations to its specific environment. [Here we report on a terrestrial plant, Stylites andicola, which lacks stomata and is unable to exchange gas with the aerial atmosphere. Rather, …]
-
Developing Leaves: Young leaves of some species, like Quercus rubra (red oak), initially lack stomata before they fully mature. [Leaves of Q. rubra less than 5 days after emergence have no stomata; therefore, water loss from these leaves must be through the cuticle. ]
Importance of Stomata
While the absence of stomata in certain plants highlights successful adaptation to specific environments, the presence of functional stomata is crucial for the majority of plants. Stomata regulate gas exchange (CO2 uptake, O2 release) vital for photosynthesis and respiration. They also control transpiration, a process crucial for water transport within the plant. Research, such as the study on SHORTROOT and stomatal density, demonstrates a complex relationship between stomatal density and photosynthetic efficiency; however, the presence of stomata is generally beneficial for efficient gas exchange in most plants. [The coordinated positioning of veins, mesophyll cells, and stomata across a leaf is crucial for efficient gas exchange and transpiration and, therefore, …]
