Skip to main content
Log in

Towards an organismic concept of land plants: The marginal blastozone and the development of the vegetation body of selected frondose gametophytes of liverworts and ferns

  • Published:
Plant Systematics and Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An organismic concept of land plants is outlined, which is based on a synthesis of plant morphology and plant anatomy. The entire plant, the living unity, is conceived as the organism being subdivided into cells, which cannot be interpreted as organisms themselves in the sense of elementary organisms. The evolution of land plant tissue systems is discussed in the introductive chapter.

To test the proposed concept, some frondose plants were selected from liverworts (Pellia epiphylla, Metzgeria furcata, Pallavicinia lyallii) and comparable fern gametophytes (Dryopteris filix mas, Vittaria lineata, Stenochlaena tenuifolia) and studied with respect to their organization and the principles of development. They all have an archetypic, two-dimensional, open construction, which is described as the “repens-type” of plant construction. Primary form growth occurs in the marginal blastozone, which controls cell wall integration. One of the most significant processes of form generation is blastozone fractionation. The tissues leaving the blastozone differentiate during extension growth and maturation of the vegetation body. While the plant grows continuously in the blastozone, it decays steadily in the necrozone.

The implications of the two-dimensional repens-type are discussed. It appears as a perfect plant construction, fit to start plant evolution on the land surface. Growing upwards into the atmosphere, the repens-type is obscured. But is reappears in all groups of higher land plants. This demonstrates the existence of evolutionary cycles in plants. It is argued that mutation and selection do not suffice to understand cyclical evolutionary patterns. The influence of organismic construction seems to predetermine evolution because of the limited options to change an appropriately functioning construction. Via construction analysis evolutionary options can be detected and thus, evolution becomes predictable to some extent. Instead of being object of mutation and selection, living organisms should be conceived as subjects in evolution (Weingarten 1993).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aloni, R., 1992: The control of vascular differentiation. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.153: S 90-S 92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, P. W., 1989: Meristems, metamers, and modules and the development of shoot and root systems. — Bot. J. Linn. Soc.100: 255–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bel, A. J. E. v., 1996: Interaction between sieve element and companion cell and the consequences for photoassimilate distribution. Two structural hardware frames with associated physiological software packages in dicotyledons? — J. Exp. Bot.47: 1129–1140.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1995: On the validity of plasmodesmograms. — Bot. Acta108: 174–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brücke, E., 1861: Die Elementarorganismen. — Sitzungsber. Kaiserl. Akad. Wiss., Math. — Naturwiss. Cl., 2,44: 381–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bünning, E., 1953: Entwicklungs- und Bewegungsphysiologie der Pflanze. 3rd edn. — Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, V. J., Chapman, D. J., 1973: The Algae. 2nd edn. — London: McMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J. W. C., Jacobs, W. P., 1966: Quantitative study of development of the giant coenocyte,Caulerpa prolifera. — Amer. J. Bot.53: 413–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm, J. R. M., Jaubert, J. M., Giaccono, G., 1995:Caulerpa taxifolia in the North-West Mediterranean: introduced species or migrant from Red Sea? — Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér 3, Sci. Vie318: 1219–1226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douin, G., 1923: Recherches sur le gamétophyte des Marchantiées. III. Le thalle stérile des Marchantées. Développement basilaire des feuilles et autre organes latéraux chez les Muscinées. — Rev. Gén. Bot.35: 487–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1925: La théorie des initiales chez les Hépatiques à feuilles. — Bull. Soc. Bot. France72: 565–591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eberwein, R. K., 1995: Bau und Ontogenese unkonventioneller Blätter des Typs “unifaciale Phyllome” und deren Beitrag zur Theorie des Spermatophytenblattes. — Diss. R. W. T. H. Aachen.

  • Eckardt, T., 1964: Das Homologieproblem und Fälle strittiger Homologien. — Phytomorphology14: 79–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, D., Duckett, J. G., Richardson, J. B., 1995: Hepatic characters in the earliest land plants. — Nature (London)374: 635–636.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epel, B. L., 1994: Plasmodesmata: composition, structure and trafficking. — Pl. Molec. Biol.26: 1343–1356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esau, K., 1965: Plant anatomy. 2nd edn. — New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1977: Anatomy of seed plants. 2nd edn. — New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eschrich, W., 1995: Funktionelle Pflanzenanatomie. — Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahn, A., 1990: Plant anatomy, 4th edn. — Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrar, J. E., 1996: Sinks — integral parts of a whole plant. — J. Exp. Bot. Spec. Iss.47: 1273–1279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, G. L., O' Kelly, C. J., 1990: PhylumChlorophyta, classUlvophyceae. — InMargulis, L., Corliss, J. O., Melkonian, M., Chapman, D. J., (Eds): Handbook ofProtoctista, 1, pp. 617–640. — Boston: Jones & Bartlett.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foard, D. E., 1971: The initial protrusion of a leaf primordium can form without concurrent periclinal cell divisions. — Canad. J. Bot.49: 1601–1603.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1965: Initiation of lateral root primordia without completion of mitosis and without cytokinesis in uniseriate pericycle. — Amer. J. Bot.52: 580–590.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowke, L. C., Pickett-Heaps, J. D., 1969: Cell division inSpirogyra. II. Cytokinesis. — J. Phycol.5: 273–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franceschi, V. R., Ding, B., Lucas, W. J., 1994: Mechanism of plasmodesmata in characean algae in relation to evolution of intercellular communication in higher plants. — Planta192: 347–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Froebe, H., 1982: Homologiekriterien oder Argumentationsverfahren? — Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges.95: 19–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gifford, E. M. Jr., 1993: The root apical meristem ofEquisetum diffusum: structure and development. — Amer. J. Bot.80: 468–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goebel, K., 1930: Organographie der Pflanzen.2. 3rd edn. — Jena: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, L. E., 1993: Origin of land plants. — New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1996: Green algae to land plants: an evolutionary transition. — J. Pl. Res.109: 241–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, P., 1992: Pattern formation in shoots: a likely role for minimal energy configurations of the tunica. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.153: S59-S75.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1996: Transductions to generate plant form and pattern: an essay on cause and effect. — Ann. Bot.78: 269–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haber, A. H., 1962: Nonessentiality of concurrent cell divisions for degree of polarization of leaf growth. I. Studies with radiation-induced mitotic inhibition. — Amer. J. Bot.49: 583–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haberlandt, G., 1918: Physiologische Pflanzenanatomie. 5th edn. — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagemann, W., 1959: Vergleichende morphologische, anatomische und entwicklungs-geschichtliche Studien anCyclamen perscium Mill. sowie einigen weiterenCyclamen-Arten. — Bot. Stud.9: 1–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1967: Die Gestaltung als determinierendes Prinzip bei der Entwicklung des Pflanzenkörpers. — Math. Naturwiss. Unterr.20: 289–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1970: Studien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Angiospermenblätter. Ein Beitrag zur Klärung ihres Gestaltungsprinzips. — Bot. Jahrb. Syst.90: 297–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1975: Eine mögliche Strategie der vergleichenden Morphologie zur phylogenetischen Rekonstruktion. — Bot. Jahrb. Syst.96: 107–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1980: Über den Verzweigungsvorgang beiPsilotum undSelaginella mit Anmerkungen zum Begriff der Dichotmie. — Pl. Syst. Evol.133: 181–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1982: Vergleichende Morhologie und Anatomie — Organismus und Zelle, ist eine Synthese möglich? — Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges.95: 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1984: Morphological aspects of leaf development in ferns and angiosperms. — InWhite, R. A., Dickison, W. C., (Eds): Contemporary problems in plant anatomy, pp. 301–349. — Orlando: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1989: Vergleichende Morphologie Pflanzen: Was kann sie zur phylogenetischen Forschung beitragen (erläutert am Beispiel von Verzweigungssystemen)? — InEdlinger, K., (Ed.): Form und Funktion, ihre stammesgeschichtlichen Grundlagen, pp. 145–168. — Wien: WUW Universitätsverlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1990: Comparative morphology of acrogenous branch systems and phylogenetic considerations. II.Angiospermae. — Acta Biotheor.38: 207–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1992a: What is a root? — InKutschera, L., Hübl, E., Lichtenegger, E., Persson, H., Sobotik, M., (Eds): Root Ecology and its practical application2. Proceedings of the 3rd ISRR-Symposium, September 2nd–6th 1991, Univ. Bodenkultur, Wien, pp. 1–8. Klagenfurt, Austria: Verein für Wurzelforschung.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1992b: The relationship of anatomy to morphology in plants: a new theoretical perspective. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.153: 38–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1996: Organogenetic capacity of leaves: the significance or marginal blastozones in angiosperms. — Pl. Syst. Evol.199: 121–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hébant, C., 1977: The conducting tissues of bryophytes. — Vaduz: Cramer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek, C., v. d., Stam, W. T., Olson, J. L., 1988: The emergence of a new chlorophytan system, and Dr.Kornmann's contribution thereto. — Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen42: 339–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmeister, W., 1867: Die Lehre von der Pflanzenzelle. — InHofmeister, W., (Ed.): Handbuch der physiologischen Botanik,1, 1. Abt — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, C. W., Olson, J., 1980: Developmental changes in the algal coenocyteCaulerpa prolifera (Siphonales) afer inversion with respect to gravity. — Amer. J. Bot.67: 141–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jernstedt, J. A., Cutter, E. G., Lu, P., 1994: Independence of organogenesis and cell pattern in developing angle shoots ofSelaginella martensii. — Ann. Bot.74: 343–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jost, L., 1942:Matthias Jacob Schleidens „Grundzüge der wissenschaftlichen Botanik“ (1842). Zum hundertjährigen Jubiläum des Werkes. — Sudhoffs Arch. Gesch. Med. Naturwiss.35: 206–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, D. R., 1992: The relationship of cells to organisms in plants: problem and implications of an organismal perspective. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.153: S28-S37.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1996: The genius ofWilhelm Hofmeister: the origin of causal analytical research in plant development. — Amer. J. Bot.83: 1647–1660.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1977: Fundamental concepts in the embryogenesis of dicotyledons: a morphological interpretation of embryo mutants. — Pl. Cell9: 1903–1919.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1991: The relationship of cell and organism in vascular plants. Are cells the builing blocks of plant form? — Bioscience41: 693–703.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaussmann, B., Schiewer, U., 1989: Funktionelle Morphologie und Anatomie der Pflanzen. — Jena: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenrick, P., Crane, P. R., 1997: The origin and early diversification of land plants — a cladistic study. — Wahington D.C.: Smithonian Institution Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleinig, H., Sitte, P., 1984: Zellbiologie, ein Lehrbuch. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kny, L., 1865/1866: Beiträge zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der laubigen Lebermose. — Pringsheims Jahrb. Wiss. Bot.4: 64–100, Tab. V–VII.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutschera, L., Lichtenegger, E., 1992: Wurzelatlas mitteleuropäischer Grünlandpflanzen.2/1. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leitgeb, H., 1877: Untersuchungen über die Lebermoose. III. Die frondosen Jungermannieen. — Jena: O. Deistungs Buchhandlung. 1881: Untersuchungen über die Lebermoose. VI. Die Marchantieen und allgemeine Bemerkungen über die Lebermoose. — Leuschner & Lubenski. Graz: (Cramer; Lehre: reprint 1968).

  • Lu, P., Jernstedt, J. A., 1996: Rhizophore and root development inSelaginella martensii and identity. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.157: 180–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, W. J., Ding, B., Schoot, C. V. D., 1993: Plasmodesmata and the supracellular nature of plants. — New Phytol.125: 435–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundegardh, H., 1922: Zelle und Cytoplasma. — InLinsbauer, K., (Ed.): Handbuch der Pflanzenanatomie, 1. Abt., 1. Teil: Cytologie.1. — Berlin: Bornträger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattox, K. R., Stewart, K. D., 1984: Classification of the green algae. — InIrvine, P. E. G., John, D. M., (Eds): Systematics of Green Algae, pp. 29–72. — London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, K., Pickett-Heaps, D., Gunning, B. E. S., 1995: Cytokinesis inSpirogyra: integration of cleavage and cell plate formation. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.156: 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melkonian, M., 1990: PhylumChlorophyta: classPrasinophyceae. — InMargulis, L., Corliss, J. O., Melkonian, M., Chapman, D. J., (Eds): Handbook ofProtoctista 1, pp. 660–607. — Boston: Jones & Barthlett.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel, D., Grant, B. R., 1981: Fine structure study on the development of trabeculae in the siphonous green algaCaulerpa simpliuscula C.Ag. — Protoplasma107: 47–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollenhauer, D., 1981: Niedergang der vergleichenden Morphologie — Verlust für die Botanik. — Ber. Wissenschafts-Gesch.4: 73–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1982: Zelle und Organismus. — InWendt, H., (Ed.): Kindlers Enzyklopädie, „Der Mensch“1, pp. 344–385. — München, Zürich: Kindler.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayar, B. K., Kaur, S., 1971: Gametophytes of homosporous ferns. — Bot. Rev.37: 295–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noll, F., 1888: Über die Funktion der Zellstoff-Fasern derCaulerpa prolifera. — Arbeiten Bot. Inst. Würzburg3: 459–465.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overall, R. L., Gunning, B. E. S., 1982: Intercellar communication inAzolla roots: II. Electrical coupling. — Protoplasma111: 151–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickett-Heaps, J. D., 1975: Green Algae. — Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poethig, S., Sussex, I. M., 1985: The cellular parameters of leaf development in tobacco: a clonal analysis. — Planta165: 170–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pringsheim, N., 1863: Beiträge zur Morphologie und Systematik der Algen. III. Die Coleochaeten. — Jahrb. Wiss. Bot.2: 1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raghavan, V., 1989: Developmental biology of fern gametophytes. — Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1993: Cellular and molecular biology of fern haplophase development. — J. Pl. Res., Spec. Iss.3: 59–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remane, A., 1956: Die Grundlagen des natürlichen Systems, der vergleichenden Anatomie und der Systematik. 2nd edn. — Leipzig: Thieme.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renzaglia, K. S., 1982: A comparative developmental investigation of the gametophyte generation in theMetzgeriales (Hepatophyta). — Bryophyt. Biblioth.24.

  • Robards, A. W., Lucas, W. J., Pitts, J. D., Jongsma, H. J., Spray, D. C., (Eds), 1990: Parallels in cell to cell junctions in plants and animals. — Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, J., 1887: Vorlesungen über Pflanzenphysiologie. 2nd edn. — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1892: Physiologische Notizen. II. Beiträge zur Zellentheorie. — Flora75: 57–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, T., 1991: Pattern formation in plant tissues. — Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schleiden, M. J., 1842: Grundzüge der wissenschaftlichen Botanik. — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schimper, W. P., 1850: Recherches anatomique et morphologique sur les mousses. — Strasbourg: Berger-Lerault.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schussnig, B., 1954: Grundriss der Protophytologie. — Jena: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuster, R. M., 1984: New manual of bryology.2. — Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan: The Hattori Botanical Laboratory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengbusch, P., v., 1988: Botanik. — Hamburg: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegert, A., 1965: Morphologische, entwicklungsgeschichtliche und systematische Studien andPsilotum triquetrum S. W. II. Die Verzweigung (mit einer allgemeinen Erörterung des Begriffes „Dichotomie“). — Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen41: 209–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1974: Die Verzweigung der Selaginellen unter Berücksichtigung der Keimungs-geschichte. — Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen50: 21–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sitte, P., 1982: Die Entwicklung der Zellforschung. — Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges.95: 561–580.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1991: Morphologie. — InSitte, P., Ziegler, H., Ehrendorfer, F., Bresinsky, A., (Eds):Strasburger: Lehrbuch der Botanik, 33. Aufl., pp. 11–238. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1992: A modern concept of the “cell theory”. A perspective on competing hypotheses of structure. — Int. J. Pl. Sci.153: S1-S6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sluiman, H. J., 1985: A cladistic evaluation of the lower and higher green plants (Viridiplantae). — Pl. Syst. Evol.149: 217–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. L., 1966: The liverwortsPallavicinia andSymphyogyna and their conducting system. — Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot.39: 1–83, pp. 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steeves, T. A., Sussex, I. M., 1989: Patterns in plant development. 2nd edn. — Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strasburger, E., 1884: Das botanische Praktikum. — Jena: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sussex, I. M., Steeves, T. A., 1967: Apical initials and the concept of promeristem. — Phytomorphology17: 387–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Troll, W., 1937: Vergleichende Morphologie der höheren Pflanzen.I, 1. — Berlin: Bornträger.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1949: Die Urbildlichkeit der organischen Gestaltung undGoethes Prinzip der „variablen Proportionen“. — Experientia5: 491–495.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1954: Praktische Einführung in die Pflanzenmorphologie. 1. Teil. — Jena: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1963: Kommission für Biologische Forschung, p. 121. — Jahrb.1963, Akad. Wiss. Lit. Mainz. — Wiesbaden: Steiner.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1964/1969: Die Infloreszenzen, Typologie und Stellung im Aufbau des Vegetations-körpers.1, 2. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1973: Allgemeine Botanik. Ein Lehrbuch auf vergleichend biologischer Grundlage. 4th edn. in collaboration with K. Höhn. — Stuttgart: Enke.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1950: Das Erstarkungswachstum krautiger Dikotylen, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der primären Verdickungsvorgänge. — Sitzber. Heidelberger Akad. Wiss. Math. — nat. Klasse, Jg.1950, 1. Abh. — Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wareing, P. F., Phillips, I. D. J., 1981: Growth and differentiation in plants. 3rd edn. — Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weberling, F., 1989: Morphology of flowers and inflorescences. (Translated byR. J. Pankhurst.) — Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weingarten, M., 1993: Organismen — Objekte oder Subjekte der Evolution? Philosophische Studien zum Paradigmenwechsel in der Evolutionsbiologie. — Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wille, A. C., Lucas, W. J., 1984: Ultrastructural and histochemical studies on guard cells. — Planta160: 129–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willeke, K., Traub, O., 1989: Molecular biology of mammalean gap junctions. — InDemello, W. C., (Ed.): How cells communicate. — Boca Raton, Fl.: C. R. C. Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zambryski, P., 1995: Plasmodesmata: plant channels for molecules on the move. — Science270: 1943–1944.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler, H., 1991: Physiologie. — InSitte, P., Ziegler, H., Ehrendorfer, F., Bresinsky, A., (Eds):Strasburger: Lehrbuch der Botanik. 33rd edn, pp. 239–469. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann, W., 1959: Die Phylogenie der Pflanzen. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1965: Die Telomtheorie. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Dedicated to my admired teacher Professor DrWilhelm Troll on the occasion of his 100th birthday, 3rd November, 1997.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hagemann, W. Towards an organismic concept of land plants: The marginal blastozone and the development of the vegetation body of selected frondose gametophytes of liverworts and ferns. Pl Syst Evol 216, 81–133 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985102

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985102

Key words

Navigation