concentration in the intercellular air spaces (C-i) was 32 mu mol mol(-1) lower than in the atmosphere (C-a), while the average CO2 concentration in the chloroplasts (C-c) was 131 mu mol mol(-1) lower than C-i independent of species. Maximal rates of Rubisco carboxylation, V-cmax, and maximal electron transport rates driving regeneration of RuBP, J(max), ranged from 13 to 66 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1) and from 33 to 148 mu mol electrons m(-2) s(-1), respectively, and compare well to averages for C-3 plants. Conclusions: Photosynthetic performance was in the series: Q. saponaria > C. alba >= L. caustica, which can be attributed first to mesophyll conductance limitations, probably mediated by leaf anatomical traits and then to species specific foliage N partitioning strategies.