Vascular Anatomy of the Nodal Region in Populus Deltoides Bartr

The ontogeny of vascular bundles in the nodal region of Populus deltoides Bartr. was examined to understand more thoroughly the structure‐function relation between leaf and stem. Three vascular traces from the stem independently enter each leaf in the nodal region. At the base of each developing leaf a region was observed in which both bundle size and vascular development was reduced; this region was referred to as the constricted zone. The constricted zone was described quantitatively at 13 locations within the nodal region of a leaf at LPI 5 by determining the number of metaxylem vessels and the total metaxylem vessel area in each of the three leaf traces. A plot of these data showed a distinct minimum value for total metaxylem vessel area within the constricted zone of each trace; the location of this minimum value was referred to as the constriction plane. Each vascular bundle within the nodal region is composed of independent subsidiary bundles that originate within the constricted zone. These bundles provide a direct connection between the leaf lamina and the stem. The node was defined anatomically on the basis of the ontogenetic development of the subsidiary bundles. The node began at the initial exit point of the central trace from the vascular cylinder and extended distally to the constriction plane. This definition allowed us to quantify the limits of each node. The origin of the initiating layer and metacambium was also examined within the nodal region. These precursors of the cambium develop continuously and acropetally from the stem into the leaf. The developmental implications of the constricted zone and the metacambium within the nodal region are discussed with respect to wood formation.