Photosynthetic characteristics of plants of a Californian cool coastal environment.

Herbaceous perennials native to coastal bluffs in northern California all had similar photosynthetic characteristics: moderate photosynthetic capacities, light saturation at relatively low irradiances, and low photosynthetic temperature optima. They all decreased stomatal conductance in response to decreased humidity. Though the coastal habitat generally has high humidities and cool air temperatures leaf microclimatic conditions lead frequently to large vapor-concentration gradients between leaf and air. Stomatal sensitivty to the vapor-concentration gradient may result in important plant-water conservation in this summer drought habitat.