The role of polyphenols and the cell wall in relation to the desiccation tolerance of the resurrection plant, Myrothamnus flabellifolia (Welw.)

• Main Author: Moore, John Paul
• Other Authors: Brandt, Wolf F
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Cell Biology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4299

Includes bibliographical references (p. 160-191). === Resurrection plants are unique in that their vegetative tissue has the ability of survive reversible dehydration to an air-dry state. The widespread African resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolia (Welw), woody shrub, is one of the largest of these plants. In addition to its resurrection ability it is also an important medicinal plant and is used by local tribes in the various regions where it grows to treat a wide variety of ailments. This thesis has investigated a number of morphological, ultrastructural and biochemical adaptations of the leaves of M. flabellifolia to dessication and associated stresses. The main aim of this thesis was to ascertain the role of polyphenols and the cell wall of M. flabellifolia in relation to its desiccation tolerance.