Plant records: Unexpectedly exciting early photosynthesis
An event buried in ‘The Boring Billion’ might have been the most important incident to transform the planet.
Alun Salt
1265 posts
Alun (he/him) is the Producer for Botany One. It's his job to keep the server running.
© 2026 Botany One. Published with Ghost
Bees look for more than just a warm reception from flowers
Not only can insects view ultraviolet patterns in flowers, they also seem to be sensitive enough to be able to sense heat patterns in flowers too.
Cress Kung-Fu
Cress seeds exude a nutrient for other plants into the soil, but is this a sneaky way of protecting the cress seedlings from competition?
The Week in Botany 21
We send out a weekly email on Monday mornings. Here’s the one we sent Monday, October 30, 2017.
The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena
If you’re looking to explain to someone how botany can be exciting, then The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena is an excellent place to start.
How do you grow a palm? The secret’s in the soil.
An investigation on a tiny island reveals that microscopic fungi can dictate the destiny of giants, opening the possibility of mycorrhizal-driven speciation.
Not For Your Eyes: Ultraviolet Patterns in Sunflowers
When you look at a sunflower you see gold. When an insect looks at a sunflower it sees something quite different.
Brilliant Green by Stefano Mancuso and Alessandra Viola
Do plants possess intelligence? If you’re looking for a challenging book for your non-botanist friends, then Mancuso and Viola have something to interest you.
Stay in the loop.
Sign up to receive updates and the latest news from Botany One.
Your email