This question came up before in this group and the following review
article was mentioned:
Briand, Christopher H. 2000. Cypress Knees: An Enduring Enigma.
Arnoldia
60(4):19-25.
http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/606.pdf
There are several hypotheses for cypress knee function but no
definitive evidence for any of them.
David R. Hershey
On Apr 9, 8:03 am, "Jensen, Douglas" <Doug.Jen... from Converse.edu> wrote:
> I have the same memory as both of you, but no references. And yes, they
> could have no adaptive function.
>> Personally, I doubt that the knees would add enough ballast to be
> particularly effective. However, I think they could function to
> interlock the root systems of neighboring trees. By doing that, a
> cluster of trees would become very stable in a storm. I haven't seen
> this published, however.
>> ________________________________
> Douglas P. Jensen
> Assistant Professor and Chair of Biology
> Converse College
> Spartanburg, South Carolina, 29302
>douglas.jen... from converse.edu> (864)596-9123
>> -----Original Message-----
> From: plant-ed-boun... from oat.bio.indiana.edu>> [mailto:plant-ed-boun... from oat.bio.indiana.edu] On Behalf Of Janice M.
> Glime
> Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 9:45 PM
> To: Carrie DeJaco
> Cc: Plant... from magpie.bio.indiana.edu> Subject: Re: [Plant-education] cypress knees
>> Carrie,
> I don't have the reference at hand, but your memory matches mine.
> They were
> unable to show that cypress knees provided oxygen. Some think they may
> help to
> add ballast. Perhaps they are a response with no adaptive value, like
> tumors.
> Janice
>> Carrie DeJaco wrote:
> > Anyone out there know the function of the "knees" of cypress trees in
> > swamps? I had thought they were to relieve oxygen stress on the
> > waterlogged roots, but seem to remember hearing that that had been
> > disproven. Any thoughts?
> --
> *****************************************
> Dr. Janice Glime, Professor
> President of IAB; Manager of Bryonet
> Department of Biological Sciences
> Michigan Technological University
> 1400 Townsend Dr.
> Houghton, MI 49931 USA
> email: jmgl... from mtu.edu> phone: 906-487-2546
> fax: 906-487-3167
> *****************************************
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