Photosynthesis by Algal Epiphytes of Utricularia in Everglades National Park

This paper reports some studies on photosynthesis, as measured by the ¹⁴C method, in Utricularia and its associated algal epiphytes in the Everglades National Park. The results provide evidence that the rate of photosynthesis is much greater in epiphyte-laden Utricularia than in epiphyte-free plants. This evidence leads to the suggestion that the epiphytes, rather than the macrophyte, are responsible for most of the primary production in this aquatic ecosystem.