What is the term for dormant leaf structures used primarily for reproduction in curly-leaf pondweed?

The term for dormant leaf structures used primarily for reproduction in curly-leaf pondweed is turions. Turions are specialized structures that form in the late summer and fall, allowing the plant to survive adverse conditions such as cold temperatures and low light availability during winter. When conditions become favorable again in the spring, these structures germinate, leading to the growth of new plants. This reproductive strategy is particularly effective for curly-leaf pondweed, as it enables rapid colonization of water bodies after seasonal dormancy.

In contrast, spores, rhizomes, and stolons serve different roles. Spores are reproductive units in many plants, particularly in ferns and fungi, and not directly associated with curly-leaf pondweed's reproduction. Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems that can produce new plants but are not described as dormant leaf structures. Similarly, stolons are above-ground lateral stems that produce new plants but also do not fit the description of dormant structures used in this particular context. Thus, turions are the specialized structures that align precisely with the reproductive processes of curly-leaf pondweed.