Writer
Alun (he/him) is the Producer for Botany One. It's his job to keep the server running.
Close Encounters
A tiny butterwort found in Mexico has surprised scientists with its ability to catch prey. It has to be efficient as it has only a brief time to get everything prepared for the next generation.
Notes from the Editor
This list on Substack has been quiet, and now we’re shutting down our account entirely. Why? Well it’s because Substack is on the same route as X. I’ll explain why I think that is and, if it bothers you, what some alternatives are.
News in Brief
Orchids are one of the most successful plant families on the planet, with over 20,000 species, but many of those species are endangered. For the orchids of Serbia, help is at hand.
Growth & Development
Only invasive weeds thrived when scientists warmed island soil, while native plants stayed hungry despite being surrounded by potential food.
The Week in Botany
This week we have a plant that’s gone its own way, how you can know a tree as an individual and Duarte Figueiredo on the hidden complexity of plant biology.
Taxonomy & Evolution
“Our findings show how a hybridization event between species can spark the evolution of new traits, allowing even more species to emerge. We’ve finally solved the mystery of where potatoes came from.” – Sanwen Huang
Ecosystems
Dykes are a lifeline for bees. Researchers found nearly half of all Dutch bee species live on river dykes, with 10% being endangered red-listed species.
News in Brief
Scientists cracked how plants reproduce without sex. The finding could improve crops and on Earth and beyond. But the key to this discovery comes from a plant that annoys many gardeners.
Ecosystems
New research shows how an invasive plant in China is using copper and lead pollution to oust its native neighbours.
The Week in Botany
This week we have a project to spotlight women’s role in botany, an interview with Ana Bedoya and her work on aquatic plants, and why flowers are about more than pollinators.
Growth & Development
In the forest understorey, Spring fires the starting gun on a race to catch sunlight before the forest canopy fills. But changing climates means different plants now start at different times.
Growth & Development
How can isolated trees survive rising heat? Botanists have been looking for microrefugia, small locations with favorable conditions for stressed plants.