Reviews
Much more than juniper – the botany of gin
The Botany of Gin, by Chris Thorogood and Simon Hiscock 2020. Bodleian Library. As one who ‘appreciates’ a well-proportioned gin & tonic, and having previously
Close Encounters
Asymmetry allows divergent use of pollinators, but often represents a one-way evolutionary street
Changes in floral symmetry allow a single pollinator to be used differently by multiple species.
Close Encounters
Within a mixed species, annuals self-pollinate more than perennials
A smaller stigma-anther separation in annuals seems to indicate a genetic basis for mating system differences.
Computational Models
‘What’s your favorite isP article and why?’
The editors of in silico Plants are delighted to share with you an Editor’s Choice selection of key papers that highlight some of the best current plant modelling research published in the journal.
Ecosystems
Burn it all down: leaf traits change more than species composition
In a fire-adapted ecosystem, increased fire frequency altered community composition and structure of the ecosystem through changes in the position of the shrub line.
Ecosystems
State of the World’s Plants and Fungi: 2 in 5 plants are threatened by extinction (Part 2)
In a previous post, I wrote about a recent review on extinction risk and threats to plants and fungi that contributed to the State of the
Growth & Development
Quantifying root and shoot growth in wheat using X-ray Computed Tomography
How are relationships between root and shoot growth incluenced by drought and soil type in wheat?
Plants & People
Your chance to give Botany a voice in a Fine Art project
The project aims to start making inferences about the importance of ecological features in historical art.
Plants & People
State of the World’s Plants and Fungi: Does conservation policy help or hinder scientific research?
Policies brought into protect plants could also cause harm by restricting research into habitats.
Plants & People
State of the World’s Plant & Fungi Collections (Part Two)
Expanding the uses, the user-base, and the number of collections themselves will help safeguard the future of plant and fungal collections.
Growth & Development
Root hairs offer benefit during drought without decreasing yield in good years
This makes them an ideal target for breeders looking to up resilience without bringing down productivity.
Growth & Development
Aroid aerial roots answer new pressures with new morphology
Specialization for water retention came from a layer of cork on the roots’ exterior.