This picture of root systems
of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) taken in Germany
is a fine examples of the conept of morphological plasticity.
The flat root system on the left shows how a very wet soil can
restrict root growth to the surface layers where there is oxygen
in the soil. The deep-rooted tree on the right of the picture
grew on a well, drained, loamy soil where there were no restrictions
to root growth. The form of a plant can change dramatically in
response to the environment. Plants are 'plastic' in terms of
their morphology.
Back to Plant Populations and Genecology