Mesophyll Succulence Sm as a New Index of CAM Capacity

The occurrence of CAM in Tlllandsia usneoides and other non-succulent Tlllandsia species suggests that if the term succulence is to be useful in considering 

it should be defined at the level of the photosynthesizing cells or tissues rather than at the level of the whole plant or plant organ. 

In those plant organs where nearly all cells have chloroplasts, this ratio can easily be measured. In other plants or plant organs having water tissues free of chloroplasts, the photosynthesizing tissues must be removed from the water tissues and analyzed separately. Confessedly, considerable technical difficulties may arise for this circumstance. 

Commelina africana Zea mays Impatiens sultani Capsicum annuum Geranium sp. 

Gossipium turbareum Kalanchoe daigremontiana Kalanchoe tubiflora Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Sedum morganianum Tillandsia usneoides Carpobrotus edulis 

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