Unexplored dimensions of variability in vegetative desiccation tolerance

Desiccation tolerance has evolved recurrently across diverse land plant lineages as an adaptation for survival in regions where seasonal rainfall drives periodic drying of vegetative tissues. Growing interest this phenomenon fueled recent physiological, biochemical, and genomic insights into the mechanistic basis desiccation tolerance. Although, is often viewed binary monolithic, substantial variation exists phenotype underlying mechanisms lineages, heterogeneous populations, throughout development individual plants. Most studies have focused on conserved responses a subset desiccation-tolerant plants under laboratory conditions. Consequently, variability natural diversity phenotypes remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we discuss argue that leveraging can improve our understanding We summarize information collected from ~600 taxonomic distribution physiology responses. point out need to quantify three scales: divergent intraspecific tissues life stages plant. conclude should be accounted experimental designs leveraged deeper intricacies