Abstract
Photosynthetic characteristics of 4 broad leaved woody species (Ternstroemia gymnanthera, Ilex rotunda, Ilex integra and Michelia figo) under different light environments (full sun, shaded and interior condition) were measured in an atrium building for detached leaves. These 4 species had lower dark respiration and light compensation points than that of Mallotus japonicus which is a sun tree and differs from M. japonicus in photosynthetic characteristics. Shade tolerances of 4 species increased under 70% shaded condition, those under interior condition increased furthermore. I. rotunda and I. integra under full sun or shaded condition had high photosynthetic rate like M. japonicus at relative high light level. On the other hand, these two species had lower dark respiration and light compensation points which are almost at the same rate of trees in understory of tropical rain forest. So these two species seem to have high photosynthetic plasticity.
