Cells, Genes & Molecules
Mitochondria and stress signalling
How does a plant sense stress and pass those signals around its body? Corentin Dourmap and colleagues have reviewed the role of mitochondria in the plant
Close Encounters
Honeybees much less effective than native pollinators for Lepechinia floribunda
It’s not just a matter of number of visits, a pollinator has to arrive at the right time too.
Ecosystems
When speed is a problem in mangrove restoration
Rapid restoration isn’t always the best restoration, when the restoring species is invasive.
Growth & Development
Iberian saxifrage side-steps the grim reaper to extend its lifespan
Saxifrage can grow multiple heads in stressed conditions, allowing more attempts at flowering.
Growth & Development
Dimorphism in cleistogamous flowers in Portulaca oleracea
A trade-off between outcrossing and self-pollination is due to an interplay between genes and environment.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
The Chemical Tools of Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous plants need to manufacture a variety of specialised chemicals to lure, trap and digest prey.
Close Encounters
Excessive Nibbling May Interfere With Reproduction for the Noble Rhubarb
Nobile rhubarb reproduces in one final burst at the end of it’s life, but yaks might be bring that life to an end early.
Taxonomy & Evolution
Temporal patterns of Brassicaceae diversification
Huang et al. propose that whole genome duplication events serve as a constant pump for continuous and high species diversification.
Growth & Development
Botanists find out who’s the daddy
Growing a fruit is only one way of passing your genes on to the next generation if you’re a plant. You could also send pollen
Taxonomy & Evolution
Evolutionary history of Pseudotaxus: old lineage, young populations
In southeast China there is a puzzle. Pseudotaxus chienii lives as a relict, a plant that used to have a much wider geographic range. Now it’
Growth & Development
Auxin redistribution modifies maize root proliferation
We know that maize roots chase after phosphorus, but how? Xin Wang and colleagues have been investigating what purpose the hormone auxin has in controlling root
Close Encounters
Mutualistic relationship between mangrove plants and diazotrophs
Trees need nitrogen. When they shed leaves with all the nitrogen in them it would be a big loss, were it not for the army of