annals-of-botany
Genome size variation in a polyploid complex
Whole-genome duplication, or polyploidy, is a common and repeated process in angiosperms, and contributes to variation in genome size. McIntyre assesses ploidy and genome size
annals-of-botany
Collenchyma: past, present and future (Invited Review)
Collenchyma has remained in the shadow of commercially exploited mechanical tissues such as wood and fibres, and consequently has received relatively little attention since it was
annals-of-botany
Cytotype diversity in Sorbus in Britain
Large scale ploidy surveys using flow cytometry have become an essential tool to study plant genome dynamics and to get insights into the mechanisms and genetic
annals-of-botany
Microbial effects on floral nectar sugar variation
Variation in composition of floral nectar reflects the action of extrinsic factors as well as intrinsic plant characteristics. Canto and Herrera study the occurrence and density
annals-of-botany
Breeding strategies for forage and grass improvement
The November issue of Annals of Botany features a Highlight section focussing on the often neglected area of forage, turf and bioenergy crops. The eight papers
annals-of-botany
Stamen movements and pollination in Ruta
In Ruta graveolens each stamen elevates to above the flower’s centre for anther dehiscence and then falls back before the next stamen elevates, producing a
annals-of-botany
Stomatal distribution and stem tracheid dimensions
Leaf and wood plasticity are key elements in the survival of widely distributed plant species. Locosselli and Ceccantini study the variation of stomatal distribution in leaf
annals-of-botany
Dehydration rate and ROS production in an aquatic moss
Desiccation induces an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes as cellular water content decreases. Cruz de Carvalho et al. examine how
annals-of-botany
Trunk epicormics and growth in Fagus sylvatica
Epicormic shoots in European beech, Fagus sylvatica, may be associated with decreased radial growth. Colin et al. study the number of axillary buds, shoot length, ring
annals-of-botany
Cytotype distribution in a diploid/hexaploid contact zone in Aster
A knowledge of cytotype diversity and distribution patterns is important in understanding evolutionary dynamics of diploid–polyploid contact zones. Castro et al. study large- and small-
annals-of-botany
The origin of the sporophyte shoot (Viewpoint)
The long-held notion that the sporophyte shoot is homologous with the seta of mosses has been questioned, but no alternative evolutionary model has hitherto been
annals-of-botany
Functional classification of olive pollen esterases
Pollen grains contain numerous hydrolytic enzymes, many of which are released upon contact with the stigma. Rejón et al. carry out for the first time a