I am working on natural population of Digitalis (foxglove species). inflorescense axis and bracts of species A (D. lanata) densely villouse like wool. However, at higher altitudes (6 versus 1100 m), closely related species B and C based on molecular and chemical investigations, have only slightly villouse structures. What might be the role(s) of this hairy formation for adataptation?
The morphology and density of leaf trichomes vary considerably among plant species, and may also vary among populations and within individual plants. Trichome production is an important component of resistance against herbivorous Insects. Studies showed that he glabrous (non-hairy) morph is more damaged by insect herbivores than the trichome-producing morph. Leaf trichomes may also increase resistance to abiotic stress. They may increase tolerance to drought by reducing absorbance of solar radiation and increasing the leaf surface boundary layer and by facilitating condensation of air moisture onto the plant surface.
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