Torus-margo pits cannot function in vessel-bearing angiosperms
The evolution of plant hydraulics reflects a trade-off between efficiency and safety, between maximizing water transport while preventing embolism spread. Two major lineages achieved this balance differently: conifers and Gingko optimized safety through low resistance torus-margo pits, while angiosperms maximized hydraulic efficiency through long, wide vessels. It is therefore striking that no lineage evolved a "hybrid" design combining the efficiency of vessels with the low resistance of margo membranes with potential exception of Ephedraceae. Here we use a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches to show that the geometry of vessels inherently limits the pressure differentials required for torus-margo function.
Authors
- Aude Tixier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7712-4795)
- Anneline H. Christensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7091-9010)
- Keunhwan Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1013-5382)
- Kaare H. Jensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0787-5283)
- Maciej A. Zwieniecki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3774-4455)
- Jessica Orozco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7116-4227)
Institutions
- Gachon University (KR)
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
- University of Clermont Auvergne (FR)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Technical University of Denmark (DK)
- Stanford University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Biology
- Published
- 2026-04-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-09800-x
- Primary Topic
- Tree Root and Stability Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00