Reviews
The poet and the tree: The mythology of rowan
A new book explores the saviour of Thor and protector of cattle.
Ecosystems
Crop Diversity Surprisingly Stable in Ethiopia Despite New Introductions
Crop diversity defies concerns in Ethiopia as small farms blend old and new species over millennia.
Close Encounters
Red flowers, short stamens, and acetoin: the secret to attracting fungus gnats
Fungus gnats like red flowers with short stamens and a strong smell of acetoin, and scientists found that Euonymus plants have evolved these traits to attract these flies for pollination.
Plants & People
Pandemic Gardening Surged Globally as a Coping Strategy, New Research Shows
Growing plants became a pandemic oasis, providing food security, mental health support, and social interaction opportunities, according to recent international research.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Using Genomic Prediction to Improve Ecophysiological Crop Models
A guide to combining ecophysiological and genomic models.
Ecosystems
Hot termites, cold fungi, warm sharks
From the warmth of termites hastening wood decomposition to the surprising chill of fungi, our understanding of nature’s temperature regulation gets a shake-up.
Plants & People
The Hidden Cargo That Brought Hundreds of Plant Species to the Garden State
Hidden stowaways onboard ships sailing to New Jersey in the 1800s brought hundreds of new plant species that still grow in the Garden State today.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Uranium Toxicity in Plants Traced to Nitrogen and Protein Problems
Scientists have discovered why uranium contamination is harmful to plants, slowing down efforts to clean up polluted soil.
Taxonomy & Evolution
Can unexpected changes happen in the process of plant domestication?
This fascinating investigation takes us on a journey through the evolutionary history of the squash plants to understand how domestication has modified the characteristics of these plants and their relationships with their pollinators.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Five Root Models Compete in Benchmarking Challenge
Assessing the reliability of root water uptake simulations
Plants & People
Pigging-out* on soy
The environmental advantages of plant-based food are overshadowed by the ethical quandary posed by genetically-modified soybean.
Close Encounters
The role of floral scent in pollinator attraction
Scientists studied how the scents of a Solanaceae species vary and how they affect pollinator visitation and found that although floral perfume is an important factor, other signals might affect pollinators visits.