Re: Vines and the Coriolis Effect

From: "Bill Plummer" <remmulp at servtech.com> on 1996.12.28 at 23:58:52(18) IF this is a real effect, could it be the growing tip is following the sun around ? ---------- +More > From: Rand Nicholson > To: remmulp@servtech.com > Subject: Re: Vines and the Coriolis Effect > Date: Saturday, December 28, 1996 5:40 PM > > >It's my understanding that most species have a characteristic > >phyllotaxy. Would we expect then that a given species planted > >"north" and "south" would exhibit this in equal magnitude but > >opposite direction? It would surprise me, but then I've been > >surprised more than once in my life and the natural world IS the > >place to find surprises :) > > > >[phyllotaxy refers to the natural "spiral" or "twist" in a plant. > >Start at a leaf and count the number of spirals made until a leaf is > >found directly above and in line with the first and then divide by > >the total number of leaves passed.] > > > >|================================================================| > >| David G. Bauman Dawn G. Bauman | > >| Collections Botanist Greenhouse Manager | > >| Indianapolis Zoo IUPUI, Biology Dept. | > >| (317) 630-2060 voice (317) 274-0584 voice | > >| (317) 630-5153 fax (317) 274-2846 fax | > >| dbauman@mail.indyzoo.com dbauman@indyvax.iupui.edu | > >|================================================================| > > Be that as it may, David, the Scarlet Runner bean vines in this part of the > continent of North America (Maritime Canada) and, as far North as {The > beginnings of the "True North" :) } Yellowknife, Sweet Peas, are not > _right_ or _left_ "handed". They _will_ try to continue a twist, once they > have something to grasp onto, but they have a haphazard inclination to > spiral in one direction from what I have seen. Indeed, it seems to be in a > vine's nature just take advantage of what support is offered within its > biosystem. > > I have left the old Scarlet Runner (and others; Morning Glories, etc.) > vines (don't ask) where they were when our Canadian winter set in. They are > perfectly preserved by the nasty cold winds and frosts, albiet leafless. > > (sigh) More clean-up for me to do next spring! > > > >

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