Développement des axes des arbres : pousse annuelle, syllepsie et prolepsie chez le Hêtre (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i>)

Abstract

Polycyclic growth is more complex in the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) than in other tree species. Growth patterns common to all beeches studied have revealed the existence of annual and intra-annual growth rhythms and a development program peculiar to this species. Syllepsis and prolepsis are discussed in relation to beech. These observations raise new questions: (i) how can we explain a meristematic revertible conversion and (ii) what are the advantages of such a complex mode of development?