marcescens (noun, “Mar SES sense”)
Marcescens refers to a plant clinging to dry autumn leaves during the winter.
As summer transitions to autumn, the leaves of many trees wither and fall. However, some trees retain their leaves until spring. Scientists classify trees with this unique characteristic as marcescent.
Deciduous trees like maples and beech follow the typical seasonal cycle. New leaves grow in spring, continue to develop over the summer, and then wither and fall in autumn. Marcescent trees are a special case of deciduous trees, with the final step omitted. The leaves of a marcescent tree remain in place rather than falling until they are dislodged by wind or other forces.
Examples of marcescens can be found in trees such as oaks, some willows, and beech. As autumn approaches, the leaves of beech trees, like other deciduous trees, wither and turn orange-gold. Throughout the winter, they cling to the tips of branches and rattle in the cold wind, eventually falling off when damaged by strong forces such as wind or through natural decomposition.
The reason for this plant’s peculiar behavior is still unknown, but scientists have a theory.
Marcescens may help protect young trees from hungry herbivores, such as deer. With food being scarce during the winter, hungry deer tend to nibble on the tender shoots of young trees. The unappetizing reddish brown leaves of dead trees can discourage deer from grazing. Another theory is that clumps of dead leaves provide a physical barrier that deer must chew through to reach the juicy shoots beneath.
Research has shown that marcescens helps trees cling to dead leaves and control the rate at which they decompose, thus affecting the rate at which nutrients return to the soil.
in one sentence
Marcescens may help protect young trees from hungry herbivores.
Check out the complete list of scientists say.
Source: www.snexplores.org
