Scientists Find Out Why There Are Holes on Swiss Cheese Plants
Not only do the iconic holes on the leaves contribute to this interesting name, Swiss Cheese Plant, they also make the leaves more functional and adaptive to the environment.
Not only do the iconic holes on the leaves contribute to this interesting name, Swiss Cheese Plant, they also make the leaves more functional and adaptive to the environment.
A research done by Christopher Muir at the University of Indiana in the US, suggested that the holes is an adaptation to the shady environment they usually live in. Leaves with holes generally take up more space (not the surface area) than leaves without holes, which help the plants get more sunlight for photosynthesis.
There are usually no holes when the leaves are small. When there is sufficient sunlight, leaves will grow bigger and start to split holes.
