A meticulous study of paintbrush lily pollination demonstrates sunbirds' flexibility and exposes hidden specialisation in small South African flowers.
Author - Alun Salt
Alun Salt
Claude AI
Plant Vampires Have Hosts They Won’t Bite
New research reveals how even parasitic plants can be picky eaters.
Scientists Find Major Gaps in Open Access to Plant Biodiversity Data
Scientists propose open-access reforms to democratise biodiversity knowledge and mobilise hidden troves of undiscovered plant diversity before it's too late.
Ancient Willow Clones in Italy Estimated to be Over 2000 Years Old
Botanists have found willows in Italy so old that they were standing when Caesar crossed the Rubicon.
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Hotter Summers Could Break Up Forest Neighbourhoods
Spring wildflowers carpeting European forests could be in for an uncertain future due to climate change, according to new research.
Increasing Carbon Dioxide Gives Seaweed a Bad Acid Trip
A recent study finds seaweeds are getting weaker under ocean acidification, threatening these foundational coastal species.
World’s Largest Flowers at Risk of Extinction, Scientists Warn
The iconic giant Rafflesia flowers are disappearing at an alarming rate, according to new research published in Plants, People, Planet.
Scientists Investigate What Makes Urban Gardens Buzz With Bees
If you want your urban garden to be buzzing with bees, scientists say floral evenness is crucial - mix up your blooms instead of planting just a few dominant species.
Imaginary Plants Reveal the Physics of Real Killers
A novel approach uniting maths, physics, and biology has uncovered how diverse rim shapes in carnivorous pitcher plants relate to strategies for catching different insect prey.
The Secret Genetic Code of Invasive Plants
Scientists uncover how the amount of DNA and number of chromosome sets make certain plants genetic supervillains when they invade new regions.
Climate Change Alters the Chemical Arms Race Between Flowers and Butterflies
Scientists find that common floral compounds become more toxic to butterflies at higher temperatures, complicating projections of climate change impacts.
Scientists Put 5 Different Ways To Calculate Pollinators’ Favourite Flowers To The Test. The Best Is Simple Enough To Apply To Your Own Garden.
Scientists found that methods for quantifying bees' floral preferences fundamentally disagree on which flowers bees find most attractive. In a new article, they identify the most reliable method, one that's simple...
Healing Power of Sunflowers Helps Bumblebees
No matter how old or where it's from, frozen sunflower pollen helps bumblebees fight off a common gut parasite that threatens bee health and pollination.
Insects Down Under Get on Top of Green Roofs
A new green roof in Melbourne, Australia, was rapidly colonized by insects, but results show that a green roof needs more than just plants to make a helpful ecological contribution.
