The rhizophore of Selaginella willdenovii Baker develops from the ventral angle meristem. The morphological nature of this organ has been in dispute. The purpose of this investigation was to obtain physiological evidence to support the contention that the rhizophore is a root and not a shoot. This was accomplished by studying the movement of ³H-indoleacetic acid and ¹⁴C-indoleacetic acid in Selaginella rhizophores. In 6-millimeter tissue segments, twice as much radioactivity accumulated in acropetal receivers as in basipetal. During 1 hour of transport in intact roots auxin traveled twice as far in the acropetal direction as basipetal. A significant amount of radioactivity transported in the tissue was found to co-chromatograph with cold indoleacetic acid. Decarboxylation accounted for 10% loss of activity from donors. The data provide sufficient physiological evidence that this organ is morphogenetically a root.

Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version. Get a printable copy (PDF file) of the complete article (695K), or click on a page image below to browse page by page. Links to PubMed are also available for Selected References.