Evolution of arborescence at hydraulic, structural, and developmental limits.
Martin Bouda1, Craig R Brodersen2, Alexandru M F Tomescu3
1Department of Plant Ecophysiology and Cluster of Excellence GreenRobust, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Geoecology, Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czechia.
Current Biology : CB
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Arborescence, or tree-like plant growth, evolved in parallel across lineages. Vascular disconnection in plants may be a key adaptation for trunk survival and the evolution of wood anatomy.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Paleobotany
Background:
- Tree-like plants exhibit repeated, parallel evolution to overcome hydraulic and mechanical challenges of increasing stature.
- Increased plant size heightens drought mortality risk due to embolism spreading through integrated water conduit networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- Reframe arborescence as open-ended growth and survival of a central trunk across diverse plant lineages.
- Investigate the role of vascular disconnection in the evolution of wood anatomy and tall plant growth.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of developmental models for tall plant growth (seed plants, palms, tree ferns).
- Examination of early wood anatomy evolution in relation to vascular network integration.
- Survey of vascular diversity in tall plants to identify prerequisites for open-ended trunk growth.
Main Results:
- Contrasted developmental strategies for tall growth in seed plants, palms, and tree ferns.
- Observed convergence towards sparsely connected vascular networks in tall plants.
- Proposed vascular disconnection as a key adaptation for trunk persistence and wood evolution.
Conclusions:
- Vascular disconnection is a significant factor in the evolution of arborescent forms.
- Understanding vascular diversity provides insights into the developmental and functional requirements for sustained trunk growth.
- This reframing opens new research avenues into plant evolution and adaptation.
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