Leaf pubescence, water relations and chlorophyll fluorescence in two subspecies of Lotus creticus L.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to compare the plant morphology, water relations and photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 in two wild Mediterranean species Lotus creticus creticus and Lotus creticus cytisoides. L. creticus creticus showed higher density of trichomes and stomatal density on the adaxial leaf surface than L. creticus cytisoides, whereas L. creticus cytisoides showed higher stomatal density in abaxial surface than L. creticus creticus. These morphological traits promoted clear differences in leaf surface water retention and leaf reflectance. Leaf water potential and photochemical efficiency were lower in L. creticus cytisoides than in L. creticus creticus.