Evidence contrary to the existence of storage lipid in leaves of plants inhabiting cold climates

• Published in: Plant, Cell & Environment
• Main Authors: HETHERINGTON, ALISTAIR M., HUNTER, M. IAN S., CRAWFORD, ROBERT M. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1984
• Subjects: Empetrum nigrum
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-3040.ep11614677; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2F1365-3040.ep11614677; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1365-3040.ep11614677

Abstract In a study of the lipid composition of the upland Empetrum nigrum subspp. hermaphroditum and Empetrum nigrum subspp. nigrum with a lowland distribution, no evidence was found to support the suggestion that lipids (triacylglycerols) play a major energy storage role in the leaves of alpine species. On a quantitative basis the triacylglycerols constituted less than 5% of the total lipid in both species and the lowland species possessed the higher levels of total lipid, neutral lipid and triacylglycerols. It is suggested that the presence of a well‐developed waxy cuticle might account for the high total lipid levels encountered in dwarf evergreen shrubs.