Abstract

In Lagerstroemia microcarpa repeated abscission of branch twigs and healing of scars led to gall-like growths on branches. Abscission zone of branchlets had thin walled, poorly lignified fibres with dense protoplasm and closely spaced septa. Disintegration of pith and shrinkage of bark and wood before abscission weakened this zone further. The protective zone proximal to abscission zone was strongly lignified and was rich in extractives. Dormant buds remained intact during abscission and the branchlet scars were healed by callus growth. Abscission of branchlets in L. microcarpa appeared to be a mechanism to withstand drought by reducing the transpiring surface