Photosynthetic bark

Title

Photosynthetic bark

Definition

Refers to bark that harbors chlorophyll which gives at least some of the bark a green color. Most often plants with photosynthetic bark drop their leaves (are deciduous) at a certain time of year and whatever photosynthesis that takes place at that time is within the bark chlorophyll. Usually trees of species with photosynthetic bark grow under environmental stress at certain times of the year, e.g., during the dry season or when river levels rise and water covers the lower part of the trunk

Notes

Photosynthetic barks are often found in trees growing in dry habitats that drop their leaves during the driest time of the year (e.g., Pseudobombax septenatum) or in riverine habitats that are preiodically inundated (e.g., Pseudobombax munguba)

Related Terms

Photosynthesis

Deciduous