NEWS
that exhibits CAM metabolism able to use both C4 and CAM .
Spinifex littoreus is a halophyte with thick , stiff leaves that is found on coastal sand dunes in East Asia . It has been reported as a C4 plant , with all the concomitant structural modifications for this pathway , but a relatively new study showed evidence that it may also be undergoing CAM metabolism .
Measurements confirmed that the leaves of this species are succulent , which is usually correlated with CAM plants . In addition , the researchers found diel fluctuations in leaf acidity , with acidity rising during night , another clue that it is using CAM photosynthesis .
If true , S . littoreus is the first grass ever exhibiting CAM , and it will be joining members of the non-grass genus Portulaca as the only plants that can do C4 / CAM cycling .
Reference
Che-Ling Ho , Jyh-Min Chiang , Teng- Chiu Lin , Craig E . Martin ( 2019 ). First report of C4 / CAM-cycling photosynthetic pathway in a succulent grass , Spinifex littoreus ( Brum . f .) Merr ., in coastal regions of Taiwan , Flora , Volume 254 , Pages 194-202 , ISSN 0367-2530 , https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . flora . 2018.08.005 .
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