TraceAncestor tool used to infer phylogenomic karyotypes of the cultivated Citrus.

Functional–structural plant models (FSPMs) explicitly describe individual plant architecture, making this approach suitable for unravelling plant–plant interactions in complex canopies. Barillot et al. developed a comprehensive FSPM accounting for the interactions between plant architecture, light, soil nitrogen and the metabolism of carbon and nitrogen. The model is evaluated by simulating the functioning of post-anthesis wheat […]

Sink-source imbalance could cause accumulation of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) and down-regulation of photosynthesis. Sugiura et al. investigate how sink-source imbalance causes photosynthetic down-regulation in soybean (Glycine max), French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and azuki bean (Vigna angularis). Among the three legume plants, maximum photosynthesis was down-regulated with increase in TNC only in French bean, whereas […]

The assertion that plants at lower latitudes should be better defended against enemies has a long historical basis but is still controversial. In the current study, Bogdziewicz et al. explore the interaction among holm oaks (Quercus ilex, Fagaceae) and seed predating weevils (Curculio spp., Coleoptera) in Spain. They show that seed size is a plant […]

Heteroblastic species show an abrupt change in morphology at a fixed ontogenetic stage, and are relatively frequent in Mediterranean type ecosystems with regular fires. Using the Restionaceae from the southern African Cape flora, Ehmig et al. investigate the potential functional significance of heteroblasty, in particular in post-fire environments. Fires result in enhanced nutrient and moisture […]

Plants take up and assimilate nitrogen (N) in the form of nitrate (NO3–) or ammonium (NH4+), or a combination of both. When oxygen availability is reduced (hypoxia), plants need to generate energy to survive and protect themselves against the hypoxia-induced damage. Wany et al. investigate the role of NO3– or NH4+ on increasing energy efficiency under hypoxia in Arabidopsis. […]

Guard cell walls are built to resist bending and deformation to open and close the pore. Pectins provide flexibility and resilience to walls; in particular arabinans and unesterified homo-galacturonans are required for stomata function. Merced and Renzaglia use immunolabelling to investigate how wall architecture and pectin composition of Arabidopsis stomata compare to the unresponsive stomata […]

Global warming threatens species living in the highest and coldest areas. Alpine cushion plants are potentially endangered by stronger species expanding from lower elevations. This can be inferred from their ecological strategies. Dolezal et al. analyse traits and habitat preferences of plants colonizing Thylacospermum caespitosum (Caryophyllaceae), a dominant pioneer of Himalayan subnival zones. Successful colonizers […]

Evolution of large flowers and associated specialized pollination mechanisms may increase the genetic relatedness of seeds within multi-ovulate ovaries by pollination of all ovules by one pollen parent, minimizing effects of competition among developing seeds through kin selection. Using phylogenetically independent trait data, Bawa et al. show strong correlated evolution between flower size and seed […]

Where do you find plants? Sometimes it seems the clue is in the name. For example, anyone looking for the Radnor Lily in the UK will only find it in Radnorshire. However, sometimes this is misleading. The Radnor Lily, Gagea bohemica, also lives in Mediterranean and Central Europe. It’s an example of a disjunct distribution, […]

Most bladderworts (genera Pinguicula, Genlisea, Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae) are pollinated by insects. Bird pollination is rare and has probably evolved independently three times in this family. In Western Australia, the Western spinebill, Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, visits flowers of Utricularia menziesii. Płachno et al. study the micromorphology of U. menziesii flowers to assess traits that are likely linked […]

Enantiostyly, a reproductive system characterized by heteromorphic flowers with either left or right style deflection, compels reciprocal pollen transfer between floral types. The potential outcrossing advantage of enantiostyly, however, is blurred when both floral types are produced in the same individual. Accordingly, Mora-Carrera et al. experimentally explored the conditions favouring the stability of monomorphic enantiostyly […]