Abstract The question as to what triggers stomatal closure during leaf desiccation remains controversial. This paper examines characteristics of the vascular and photosynthetic functions of the leaf to determine which responds most similarly to stomata during desiccation. Leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) was measured from the relaxation kinetics of leaf water potential (Ψl), and a novel application of this technique allowed the response of Kleaf to Ψl to be determined. These “vulnerability curves” show that Kleaf is highly sensitive to Ψl and that the response of stomatal conductance to Ψl is closely correlated with the response of Kleaf to Ψl. The turgor loss point of leaves was also correlated with Kleaf and stomatal closure, whereas the decline in PSII quantum yield during leaf drying occurred at a lower Ψl than stomatal closure. These results indicate that stomatal closure is primarily coordinated with Kleaf. However, the close proximity of Ψl at initial stomatal closure and initial loss of Kleaf suggest that partial loss of Kleaf might occur regularly, presumably necessitating repair of embolisms.