Despite being a highly autogamous or self-pollinating species, the carnivorous plant Drosophyllum lusitanicum (Drosophyllaceae) produces large, bright-yellow flowers. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Salces-Castellano et al. used a flower removal and a pollination experiment to assess, respectively, whether large flowers in this species may serve as an attracting device to prey insects […]

Currently there is debate around whether the outcome of alien plant invasions is the extinction of native plants. In a new study published in AoB PLANTS, Downey and Richardson refocus the debate around a series of thresholds along an extinction trajectory where extinction is the end point. They identify and discuss a range of factors […]

Polyploidy (multiple copies of whole genomes) is over-represented in invasive plants and thought to promote their success in novel environments.  Understanding functional traits supporting colonization can provide a foundation for development of effective management strategies. In a new study published in AoB PLANTS, Grewell et al. compared how two aquatic invasive congeners differing in ploidy […]

Red flowers have evolved repeatedly across angiosperms and are frequently examined in an ecological context. However, less is known about the biochemical basis of red colouration in different taxa. In a recent study published by AoB PLANTS, Ng and Smith examined the biochemical basis of red flowers in the tomato family, Solanaceae. They show that […]

Non-native plant invasions and changing management activities have altered the structure and composition of forests. Invasive shrubs and fire suppression have led to increased densification and biomass accumulation in forest ecosystems of the southeastern United States. Notably, the encroachment of non-native privets has altered ecosystem processes and caused changes in community structure. The latter has […]

Anyone interested in plants may already have asked themselves why some trees host a wide diversity and large numbers of epiphytes while others have none. This may occur by chance or could be derived from specific patterns driven by tree traits. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Chaves et al. evaluated how individual […]

There are several emerging generalizations in invasion biology, but often the factors determining invasiveness are group-specific. Similarly to certain other plant families, Araceae species (arums or aroids) that have large native ranges and that have been widely introduced are more likely to become invasive. What is unique to the family is the great diversity of […]

Climbing monocots can develop into large bodied plants despite being confined by primary growth. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Hesse et al. measured surprisingly high stem biomechanical properties (in bending and torsion) in Flagellaria indica and showed that the lack of secondary growth is overcome by a combination of tissue maturation processes […]

Mediterranean high-mountain ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, causing biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and landscape modifications. In a new study published in AoB PLANTS, Evangelista et al. used phytosociological relevés to conduct a re-visitation study in order to analyze changes in floristic composition over the last 42 years in the central Apennines (Majella National Park). […]

The analysis of genetic structure and variability of isolated species is of critical importance in evaluating whether stochastic or human-caused factors are affecting rare species. Low genetic diversity compromises the ability of populations to evolve and reduces their chances of survival under environmental change. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Turchetto et al. […]

Phylogeographic studies give us the opportunity to reconstruct the historical migrations of species and link them with climatic and geographic variation. They are, therefore, a key tool to understanding the relationships among biology, geology and history. One of the most interesting biogeographical areas of the world is the Mediterranean region. However, in this area, the […]

Pollination studies often use visitation frequency of potential pollinators as an indicator of their importance, but this is only one component and may not reflect actual pollen-transfer rates. In a recent study published in AoB PLANTS, Barrios Roque et al. used new approaches to understand the pollination biology of the pineland golden trumpet, Angadenia berteroi, […]