annals-of-botany
Phylogenetic significance of the carpophore in Apiaceae
Structural variation in carpophores, the ‘stalks’ of the typical schizocarps of Apiaceae, is not well documented. Liu et al. study 92 species from 43 genera representing
annals-of-botany
Apomixis and reticulate evolution in Aspleniaceae
Ferns have the highest proportion of apomictic species in all plant groups, but the reasons for this are unclear. Dyer et al. determine the reproductive mode
annals-of-botany
Reconstructing past xylogenesis of black spruce
Hemispheric-scale reconstructions of surface temperature fluctuations over the last millennium have identified the 20th century as uniquely warm. Boulouf Lugo et al. monitor timings of
annals-of-botany
Competition/colonization syndrome mediated by germination timing
The competition–colonization trade-off in plants is considered to result from variation in resource partitioning. Using different populations of the heterocarpic species Crepis sancta (Asteraceae)
annals-of-botany
New alleles for Waxy genes in spelt wheat
Waxy proteins are responsible for amylose synthesis in wheat seeds. Guzman et al. amplify and sequence waxy genes in European spelt, Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta and
annals-of-botany
A molecular marker of seed ageing
Prolonged storage generally reduces seed viability and vigour, although the rate of deterioration varies among species and environmental conditions. Garza-Caligaris et al. find that expression
annals-of-botany
Sexual organ reciprocity in distylous primroses
The main morphological characteristic of heterostyly is the reciprocal placement of anthers and stigmas in two distinct floral morphs; however, the partitioning of reciprocity within and
annals-of-botany
Seed ageing at elevated oxygen pressure
Subjecting seeds to elevated oxygen concentrations may provide a novel method for studying ageing processes. Groot et al. test this hypothesis by storing dry seed of
annals-of-botany
Rate heterogeneity of holoparasitic Balanophora
The substitution rates of chloroplast and mitochondria genes sometimes show tremendous variation in parasitic plants, but it is unclear if this is also true for nuclear
annals-of-botany
Gene flow in mountain environments
Responses of high-mountain plant species to global change are highly influenced by the genetic background of the species, including genetic diversity or gene flow between
annals-of-botany
Seed dormancy distribution and ecology
In sea beet, Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima, seed dormancy largely controls germination timing, is highly heritable and varies geographically; climate might select for this trait. Wagmann
annals-of-botany
The ecology of plant populations: their dynamics, interactions and evolution
What regulates the size and distribution of plant populations? What determines whether a population of plants will increase in size or decline? What allows some species