Leaf dry mass per unit area and leaf pigments underlying the higher stomatal conductance of deciduous species relative to evergreen species in Dendrobium

The results reveal the clear differences in leaf stomatal conductance, leaf functional traits and leaf pigments between deciduous and evergreen Dendrobium species, with the form groups showing trait values indicative of less investments in structural components and of more investments in photosynthetic carbon gain. Furthermore, leaf dry mass per unit area and leaf pigments play an important role in shaping leaf stomatal conductance.