Ecosystems
Hotter Summers Could Break Up Forest Neighbourhoods
Spring wildflowers carpeting European forests could be in for an uncertain future due to climate change, according to new research.
Ecosystems
Prescribed prairie burns boost reproduction only in large populations, study finds
Periodic prairie burns are a reproductive riot for large plant populations but a reproductive rut for smaller fragmented groups, reveals a new long-term field experiment.
Growth & Development
Drought Drives Rapid Evolution of Flower Size and Nectar in Common Morning Glory
Experiments with the common morning glory reveal drought drives faster evolutionary changes in floral signals and rewards critical for plant-pollinator interactions compared to pollinator declines.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Plants Feel Touch in Their Veins
New research reveals plant leaf veins act as autonomous touch sensors, firing off rapid electrical signals when mechanically stimulated.
Ecosystems
Increasing Carbon Dioxide Gives Seaweed a Bad Acid Trip
A recent study finds seaweeds are getting weaker under ocean acidification, threatening these foundational coastal species.
News in Brief
World’s Largest Flowers at Risk of Extinction, Scientists Warn
The iconic giant Rafflesia flowers are disappearing at an alarming rate, according to new research published in Plants, People, Planet.
News in Brief
Bringing Botany Back to Cities
Getting reacquainted with nature could be as easy as a walk in your local park, thanks to a new concept for creating informal botanical gardens throughout cities.
Ecosystems
Scientists Investigate What Makes Urban Gardens Buzz With Bees
If you want your urban garden to be buzzing with bees, scientists say floral evenness is crucial – mix up your blooms instead of planting just a few dominant species.
Ecosystems
Scientists Find Close Relatives Drive Island Plants Extinct
A new study finds native island plants are more likely to go extinct when threatened by invasive cousins from the same family tree.
Close Encounters
Imaginary Plants Reveal the Physics of Real Killers
A novel approach uniting maths, physics, and biology has uncovered how diverse rim shapes in carnivorous pitcher plants relate to strategies for catching different insect prey.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
The Secret Genetic Code of Invasive Plants
Scientists uncover how the amount of DNA and number of chromosome sets make certain plants genetic supervillains when they invade new regions.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Climate Change Alters the Chemical Arms Race Between Flowers and Butterflies
Scientists find that common floral compounds become more toxic to butterflies at higher temperatures, complicating projections of climate change impacts.