There’s more to tree spines than first thought
Analysis of 31 tropical woody species with spines on their trunk has uncovered new explanations for the presence of spines on trees.
Fi Gennu
Fi Gennu is a pen-name used for tracking certain posts on the blog. Often they're posts produced with the aid of Hemingway. It's almost certain that Alun Salt either wrote or edited this post.
Botanists uncover the cost of cloning
If a plant wants to produce a clone of itself, then it’s usually best to keep the new shoots close.
How does a plant vary across its range?
A French-US team studied whether Arabidopsis in its natural range varies by latitude or from a core to the periphery.
Botanists find the effects of ancient climates in the modern genomes of two closely related oak species
Botanists examined the genomes of two species, Quercus acutissima and Q. chenii, to see if changes in the climate three million years ago affected how they hybridised.
What does cyanobacteria look for in a good moss host?
Cyanobacteria can provide an important source of nitrogen for mosses, but some mosses are better at attracting them than others.
With hundreds of thousands of flowers, macadamia can be limited by not getting enough pollen
This study is the first to demonstrate pollen limitation in a mass-flowering tree.
Plants that have adapted to exploit human activity now depend on disturbance
Plants that have grown in partnership with human activity in meadows can be a great source of seeds for restoration projects, but their ability to germinate is also a problem.
Why are there no Arctic mangroves?
Research from Japan reveals that mangroves can’t cope with cold feet.
Las raíces seminales del maíz ayudan a atrapar nutrientes
Cuando los humanos seleccionaron maíces de semillas grandes, es posible que también hayan mejorado involuntariamente su sistema radicular.
Tree species mixing increases stand productivity and density
The benefits of the mixture come on top of the other well-known superiority of provisioning and regulation services.
Piecing together the Zamiaceae family tree reveals the evolution of how plants ‘breathe’
The Zamiaceae are often considered ‘living fossils’, but a close study of how they have evolved over millions of years can give a glimpse into the lives of past plants.
Next generation sequencing of Zanthoxylum leads to rethink of previous generations of Zanthoxylum
Next-generation sequencing using target enrichment reveals that current sectional classifications of Zanthoxylum need revision.
Allele mining could help improve forage grasses
Botanists demonstrate a novel, effective approach to allele discovery in diverse accessions using a draft reference genome from a single species.
Seminal roots help maize grab nutrients
When humans selected for bigger seeds in maize, they may have also unintentionally improved its root system.