Close Encounters - Botany One (Page 4)

A close-up photograph of Delphinium nuttallianum (Nuttal's larkspur) flowers in full bloom. The delicate purple blossoms disp

Soil moisture does not predictably affect pollination success

A four-year study in the Colorado Rockies reveals unexpected interactions between pollination and soil moisture in wildflower reproduction, challenging current predictions about plant responses to environmental change.

Sarah Covshoff

22 Feb 2025

A close-up photograph of a small red and black sunbird feeding from vibrant crimson-colored flowers of a rhododendron plant.

Close Encounters

The Role of Pollinators and Climate in Shaping Floral Characteristics

A new study shows that both pollinators like bees and birds, and climate changes, influence the size, shape, and nectar of flowers in Rhododendrons.

Renata Cantoro

17 Feb 2025

An Ethiopian wolf, that looks a lot like a fox, licking the orange-to-gold inflorescence of a plant.

Close Encounters

From Predator to Pollinator: Unveiling the Floral Foraging Habits of Ethiopian Wolves

When Ethiopia’s top predator licks flowers for nectar, it may be helping to shape the future of its Afroalpine ecosystem.

Victor H. D. Silva

12 Feb 2025

A macro photograph showing the frontal view of an orchid bee's head against a dark background. The image emphasizes two large

Close Encounters

How Orchid Bees Craft Unique Scents from Non-Floral Sources

Discover how orchid bees use surprising, non-floral sources to create perfumes that attract mates in the tropical forest.

Victor H. D. Silva

05 Feb 2025

This image showcases three vibrant Zinnia flowers (Zinnia elegans) in full bloom, displaying the species' characteristic dive

Close Encounters

Botanists Trip Over The Light Fantastic When They Try To Understand Flower Colour

What humans see in a flower is nothing like the multi-stage sensory journey that guides insects to blooms.

Alun Salt

05 Feb 2025

Close Encounters

The Love Lies and Sweet Rewards of Australian Orchids

New research uncovers how Australian orchids seduce fungus gnats with a sophisticated blend of chemical perfumes and sugary bribes.

Alun Salt

28 Jan 2025

Close up of a wild carrot flower, or rather umbels, stalks holding umbrellas of flowers. At the moment they're all curled up

Close Encounters

The Hidden Battle Between Wild and Cultivated Carrots

Wild carrots’ extraordinary adaptability and survival skills are creating unexpected challenges for New Zealand’s role in global carrot seed production.

Alun Salt

23 Jan 2025

A purple flower shaped like a cross, with a striking purple colour.

Close Encounters

The Purple Mistress That Lives Two Lives Each Year

A Mediterranean wildflower shapeshifts between seasons. Why would it stop trying to attract the pollinators it desired earlier in the year?

Alun Salt

21 Jan 2025

Close Encounters

Fungal Friends Help Young Trees Thrive in Mixed Forests

Young spruce trees grow better with pine neighbours thanks to underground helpers.

Alun Salt

20 Jan 2025

Close Encounters

Sweet Rewards Keep Desert Partnerships Alive Through Harsh Seasons

In Mexico’s Sonoran Desert, cacti and other plants maintain a sophisticated security system – paying ant bodyguards with nectar from specialized glands that operate year-round.

Alun Salt

12 Dec 2024