Force generation in the coiling tendrils of Passiflora caerulea

Abstract

Tendrils of climbing plants coil along their length and thus form a striking helical spring and generate tensional forces. We have found that, for tendrils of the passion flower Passiflora caerulea, the generated force lies in the range of 6-140 mN, which is sufficient to lash the plant tightly to its substrate. Further, we revealed that the generated force strongly correlates with the water status of the plant. By combining force measurements with anatomical investigations and dehydration-rehydration experiments on both entire tendril segments and isolated lignified tissues, we are able to propose a two-phasic principle of spring formation: First, during the free coiling phase, the tendril coiling is based on the active contraction of a fiber ribbon in interaction with the surrounding parenchyma as resistance layer. Second, in a stabilization phase, the entire center of the coiled tendril lignifies, stiffening the spring and securing its function independent of hydration status.