Ecophysiological study of the aquatic carnivorous plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa L.

Abstract

Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. was found to be a strict CO2 user. Its CO2 compensation point of photosynthesis was 7.2 μM and KM of CO2 uptake 0.18 mM, comparable with other submerged plants. However, its very high light compensation point (6.0 W.m2), absence of photoinhibition at high irradiances, and positive Q10 of photosynthesis (15–34°C) confirm that it is markedly photo- and thermophilous. All turions germinated after storage at 4°C, but the temperature of—12°C had killed them totally. In overwintered turions, starch content decreased by a factor of three but that of soluble sugars rose by a factor of two. © Société botanique de France 1995.