Guttation Report

Guttation – Even Plants Sweat

Guttation is a result of root pressure (by osmosis) that expresses itself in times of warm temperatures and very high humidity (close to 100% RH). Transpiration is the process where water is moved through the plant and out the stomata as water vapor. Among other things, it cools the plant similarly as perspiring does in humans. It only is apparent when transpiration is greatly reduced by the high humidity and appears as large drops of water at regular intervals along the margins of leaves through special openings called hydathodes. (especially in monocots, like grasses).

Place a bag over a monocot house plant (Purple hearts and Spider plants are good) or place a large, clear plastic or glass jar (1- 2 gallons) on a section of your lawn (seasonal) and weight it down with a stone or brick. As the humidity increases, you may see small droplets of water along the leaf edges (margins) begin to grow. This is guttation.

Fig. “Bagged” plant to induce guttation. (left) Covered plants (sedges – monocots) to induce guttation. (right)

Fig. Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida), showing guttation.

Fig. Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida), showing guttation.

Assessment: Attach as a Word document to the assignment.

Write a brief summary (with accompanying photos) of your above exercise in guttation. One page will do.