Variations in growth and architecture in the range limit of Salix humboldtiana, the willow native to South America

The conditions faced by edge populations of a tree species may affect the architecture individual trees. latitudinally broad range Salix humboldtiana Willd. encompasses tropical to cold-temperate climatic regions, with its southernmost population in central Patagonia. We expected S. trees from southern-edge develop smaller shoots and lower level axis differentiation than this more northern population, we outperform non-edge when growing common garden at an intermediate latitude. For juvenile individuals natural populations, trunk diameter, height, branching angle, as well length, number nodes, leaf area, specific area main branch annual were measured. size extension rates developed both origins also evaluated. In shoot higher for population. garden, period length plants plants. growth-period differences between support hypothesis stress adaptation