Eucalypts: Eucalypt Leaves
Observe the photo of a branch of eucalypt leaves. Note that the leaves hang,
rather than being horizontally disposed like leaves of many plants.
Which of the following is probably true of vertically oriented or hanging leaves compared to horizontally disposed leaves?
Heating is minimised, but light absorption for photosynthesis is reduced.
Heating is minimised, but light absorption for photosynthesis is unaffected.
try again
True. Incoming solar radiation, strikes vertically oriented leaves at higher angles of incidence especially
in the middle of the day, so less is absorbed over the course of a day.
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Eucalyptus thozetiana (Yupunya) grows in semi-arid regions of Queensland and New South Wales. In this species, as well having vertically oriented leaves, the leaves have high light reflectivity.