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Name: Ashar
Status: other
Grade: other
Location: Outside U.S.
Country: India
Date: Winter 2011-2012
Question:
I would like to know if there are any plants which produces oxygen at night (without photosynthesis). I was told by a friend that Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) produces oxygen even at night and I'm not convinced.


Replies:
Some plants (particularly those of dry regions, e.g., deserts) only open their stomates at night to avoid drying out to intake CO2 (and output O2) (CAM photosynthesis)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crassulacean_acid_metabolism

Sincerely, Anthony R. Brach, PhD Missouri Botanical Garden


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