A Survey for C4 Photosynthesis in Plants of Two Georgia Cedar Glades and a New State Record for Georgia

Leaves of 56 species from two north-west Georgia cedar glades were sectioned and stained with I2KI. Four species had Kranz anatomy, which is indicative of C4 photosynthesis. Since none of the four species with Kranz anatomy is endemic to cedar glades, it appears that the combination of edaphic and climatic conditions present in southeastern cedar glades is insufficient to select for species with C4 photosynthesis. A species lacking Kranz anatomy, Senecio plattensis Nutt., represents a range extension into Georgia.