This study investigated the morphological characteristics that influence the foliar architecture of Odontonema strictum, under two light conditions. Branches of 15 individuals from high and low light were collected at the "Centro Politécnico" of the Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR. Leaf angle, leaf area, dried mass, lamina thickness, foliar density, length, diameter, dried mass and volume of the petiole were analyzed. Mean length of the internodes and petioles were greater in low light condition while the remaining traits showed statistically greater mean values in high light condition. The morphological variations observed for O. strictum did not agree with the data described in other studies, under the same conditions. The morphological adjustments and their combined action seem to be determinant of the best leaf architecture pattern on a given light condition, allowing the species expand the exploitation of niches with more resources, especially those with heterogeneous environments related to light conditions.
leaf morphology; shade leaves; sun leaves
