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A new sunflower family tree reveals that flower symmetry evolved multiple times independently. Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium, on the upper left, and Artemisia annua, upper right, are closely related species from the same tribe; the former has bilaterally symmetric flowers — the rays — and the latter does not. Rudbeckia hirta, lower left, from the sunflower tribe has bilaterally symmetric flowers, and Eupatorium chinense, lower right, from the Eupatorieae tribe does not; these two tribes are closely related groups. A sunflower, center, shows flowers with bilateral symmetry — the large petal-like flowers in the outer row — and without bilateral symmetry — the small flowers in the inner rows. Credit: Guojin Zhang, Ma laboratory / Penn State. Creative Commons

Botany News

New sunflower family tree reveals multiple origins of flower symmetry

The sunflower family's intricate evolutionary history, unveiled through genetic analysis, showcases the fascinating phenomenon of convergent evolution. Flower symmetry, a key trait, has independently evolved multiple times within this diverse plant group. Insights gleaned may aid in breeding plants with…

Isabel23/04/2024

Division orientation defined by directional cell expansion. Credit: Developmental Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.009

News Plant Science

Wounded plants: how they coordinate their healing

In a new study, scientists unraveled the mystery behind how wounded plants coordinate their healing. By investigating the role of the hormone Auxin and pressure changes, they discovered the intricate cellular mechanisms guiding plant regeneration. This understanding sheds light on…

Isabel22/04/2024

Botany News

Botanists analyze the role of pollinators in the evolution of flowers with various sexual forms

Botanists explore Darwin's theory on precise pollination in flowering plants. Their study reveals correlations between heterostyly, floral traits, and pollinators, supporting Darwin's hypothesis. This macroevolutionary analysis sheds new light on the role of ecology in plant reproductive mechanisms.

Isabel19/04/2024

Botany News

New satellite dataset sheds light on Earth’s plant growth

A groundbreaking satellite dataset, derived from TROPOMI's observations, revolutionizes our understanding of Earth's plant growth. The Comprehensive Mechanistic Light Response (CMLR) Gross Primary Production (GPP) dataset utilizes solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence to accurately quantify global photosynthesis. This advancement holds promise for…

Isabel18/04/2024

Image: Sorghum, or broomcorn, is a staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, but approximately 20% of annual yields are lost due to infections with witchweed (Striga hermonthica), a parasitic plant that steals nutrients and water by latching onto the plant’s roots. Pictured here, rows sorghum with Striga (purple). Credit: USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org / Wikimedia.

Agriculture News

Researchers identify microbes that help sorghum plants thwart parasite

Researchers have discovered soil bacteria that help sorghum plants fight off the damaging effects of witchweed, a parasitic plant prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. By altering root structure and degrading chemical signals, these microbes could serve as a natural solution to…

Isabel17/04/2024

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New sunflower family tree reveals multiple origins of flower symmetry

Wounded plants: how they coordinate their healing

Botanists analyze the role of pollinators in the evolution of flowers with various sexual forms

New satellite dataset sheds light on Earth’s plant growth

Researchers identify microbes that help sorghum plants thwart parasite

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