Articles tagged with Flowers
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A team of Israeli and French scientists has discovered a gene that controls the production of male flowers in cucurbit plants, allowing for the creation of female-only flowers. This finding has significant implications for agricultural productivity, as female flowers are associated with higher yields.
Researchers discovered that ancient bees used both generalist and specialist pollen-collecting strategies, finding pollen from diverse flowers on their bodies except for the hind legs. This finding challenges previous theories about the early history of bee pollination.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found male bumblebees equal to female worker bees in learning floral colors. The study showed that male bees can learn new flower colors as indicators for nectar even when the original color changes.
Researchers have identified a 125 million- to 130 million-year-old freshwater plant, Montsechia vidalii, as one of the earliest known flowering plants on Earth. The finding represents a major change in the presumed form of one of the planet's earliest flowers and raises significant questions about its early evolutionary history.
Recent findings uncover 16th century botanical records documenting heterostyly, a phenomenon later studied by Charles Darwin. The research traces the history of Darwin's work back to early floral prints and descriptions of plants for medicinal purposes.
Scientists found that flowers with both scent and nectar attract more pollinators, increasing outcrossing rates. Nectar has a larger impact on female moths laying eggs than floral scent.
A new study reveals that hawkmoths' vision is finely attuned to the swaying of flowers in the breeze, enabling them to track wind-tossed flowers under low-light conditions. The researchers found that the moth's tracking responses were slower in dark conditions, but only when the artificial flower moved at high frequencies.
Researchers studied hawkmoth's ability to hover and track flowers in mid-air while adjusting to changing light conditions. The moths can slow their brains to improve vision under low-light conditions, but only if the flower is moving rapidly.
Research by Jamshidi et al. found that combining salicylic acid, malic acid, and urea can extend cut gerbera blooms' vase life from a week to over two weeks. These compounds prevent bacterial contamination and sustain enzyme activity in the stems.
Researchers used 3D printing to create artificial flowers, one curved and one flat, to investigate how flower shape affects foraging behavior in hawkmoths. The study found that hawkmoths fed more successfully from the curved flowers, suggesting they use touch rather than sight to find nectar.
Researchers at the University of Guelph identified a gene that can make certain plants self-pollinate, reducing the risk of genetically modified crop contamination. The discovery could also benefit perfume-makers by allowing for more control over fragrance production.
Researchers found that cell division at the abscission zone of short-lived sunflower cultivars occurs earlier than in long-lived varieties, leading to earlier petal drop. The study also showed a correlation between flower color and vase life, with darker cultivars having shorter vase life.
Researchers discovered that a unique twist in the nectar spur of a bird-pollinated flower allows for more efficient pollen placement on sunbirds' heads and bills. This adaptation increases the likelihood of successful pollination and reduces competition among plant species.
Bumblebees can form associative relationships between floral features and pollen quality, allowing them to quickly select the best flowers for food. This ability enables bees to efficiently find nutritious pollen, crucial for rearing their young, by recognizing color cues on petals.
Researchers found that bee tongues can be predicted by body size and taxonomic relationships, providing a valuable proxy for ecology studies. The study highlights the importance of tongue length in understanding species behavior, resilience, and invasiveness.
A team of scientists monitored 14 developmental stages of Arabidopsis thaliana flowers using micro-computed tomography and mass spectrometry, revealing distinct metabolic profiles for each stage. These findings provide new insights into the interaction between developmental processes and metabolism in plant development.
Researchers found that birds consume the male reproductive organs while visiting Axinaea flowers, which are attracted by sugar-rich stamen-appendages. This unique mechanism involves a complex 'bellows' organ for pollen dispersal and differs from known bird pollination systems.
Researchers discovered a specialized bird pollination system in Axinaea flowers, where birds consume male reproductive organs to receive pollen and nutrients. This complex mechanism involves the 'bellows' organ, which blasts pollen onto the birds' beaks as they forage.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that gibberellin promotes the first transition to inflorescence but inhibits flower formation. The hormone's role is regulated by rising and falling levels, involving protein activation that triggers flower formation.
A decade-long study reconstructed the hummingbird family tree and found that they have been diversifying rapidly and adapting to novel environments. The researchers discovered nine principal groups or clades, a unique relationship with flowering plants, and continued spread into new geographic areas.
The Thriplow Daffodil Weekend in Cambridgeshire has been forced to bring its dates forward by 26 days over its 46-year history due to increasing mild springs. UK climate change is causing vulnerable people and industries to shift their seasonal activities, like this flower festival.
A 39-year study reveals that more than two-thirds of alpine flowers have changed their blooming patterns in response to climate change. The blooming season has lengthened by a month, with different species responding in unexpected ways. This change is expected to have strong effects on pollinating insects and migratory birds.
A 39-year study reveals that more than two-thirds of alpine flowers have changed their blooming pattern in response to warmer climate. The bloom season has lengthened by one month, with different species responding in unexpected ways, impacting pollinating insects and migratory birds.
The study provides a detailed picture of biological events like flower blooming, animal emergence, and leaf fall, showing a more complex pattern than previously thought. Over 39 years, the flowering season expanded by more than a month due to earlier snowmelt and warming climate.
A study published in Springer's journal found that a long-proboscid fly can suck up almost all nectar available in a flower in one go due to more efficient suction pumps in its head. This allows the insect to gain an advantage over other flies with average-sized mouth parts.
Researchers will investigate how flowers use scent to attract pollinators and predators, driving the evolution of diverse plant species. The five-year project aims to understand the dynamics among plants, mutualists, and enemies to conserve biodiversity.
A new study by Levente Orbán and Catherine Plowright found that bumblebees prefer radial patterns over concentric patterns when searching for nectar. The researchers tested flower-naive bees using radio-frequency identification technology and video recordings, exposing them to two types of patterns: concentric and radial.
A new study reveals that ants alter the sugar-chemistry of flowers they visit by transmitting yeast to the nectar. This change affects subsequent pollinator visitations and may impact plant fitness. The research suggests a complex interaction between plants, yeasts, and pollinators.
Research at the University of Pittsburgh found that bumblebees can taste and discriminate against certain metals like nickel but are more tolerant of aluminum, which may pose a risk to their health
A new study reveals that the insect-eating pallid bat is a more effective pollinator of cardon cactus flowers than the nectar-feeding lesser long-nosed bat. The pallid bat delivers more pollen per visit, with some areas being frequent enough visitors to be more effective overall.
Studies show that hummingbirds using more energy to feed from vertically oriented flowers, challenging previous hypotheses on flower evolution. Researchers suggest other factors dictate flower orientation, including excluding less efficient pollinators and nectar dilution.
Seedless watermelons are more profitable for farmers, but their flowers require fertilization from male flowers of seeded plants. Researchers have identified three pollenizer varieties that produce the most male flowers and resist fungal infection, helping farmers make informed decisions about crop management.
Research suggests that herbivores may have driven the evolution of unique inflorescence architecture in Babiana ringens, a South African plant. The plant's ground-level flowers are protected from herbivores, while apical flowers are eaten, leading to higher reproductive success.
Researchers discovered that hawkmoths can detect minuscule differences in humidity near flowers to determine if they have enough nectar. This allows the moths to quickly evaluate flowers and avoid wasting energy on unprofitable ones.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered how flowers achieve industrial precision in pollination. The team found that flowers use a safeguard system to prevent too many pollen tubes from delivering too many sperm, and that fertilization can be salvaged if the first sperm is ineffective.
Researchers from NUS identified a protein called FTIP1 that triggers flowering in plants under normal light conditions. Plants with mutant versions of the gene flowered later, but were restored to normal when the functional version was introduced.
Researchers at NUS identified a protein, FTIP1, that regulates flowering in plants under normal light conditions. Plants with mutant FTIP1 genes flowered later, but were restored to normal when the gene was functional.
A recent study by researchers at NESCent found that larger plant size can lead to bigger, more plentiful blooms, but accounting for overall size differences is crucial in detecting tradeoffs. The study tested three hypotheses and concluded that flower size-number tradeoffs are harder to spot due to various reasons.
Researchers found that buttercup flowers' bright yellow reflection is due to their unique petal structure, which doubles the gloss through two flat surfaces and an air gap. The study provides insight into how flowers attract pollinators like bees.
Researchers at Texas AgriLife Research have discovered a gene regulating sorghum flowering, which can delay flowering and increase biomass accumulation by up to 200 days. This breakthrough enables the development of sorghum as a dedicated bioenergy crop with potential to produce lignocellulosic-based biofuels.
New research reveals that birds pollinate Babiana plants with specialized perches, and these perches can be smaller or larger depending on geographical location. This unique adaptation allows the plant to adopt different mating strategies depending on the availability of sunbird pollinators.
Researchers found that bumblebees significantly reduced flight distances by learning and memorizing individual flower locations, prioritizing the shortest route. This innovative approach demonstrates that bees can solve complex routing problems without a sophisticated cognitive representation of space.
Research reveals bumblebees use a trade-off strategy to visit high-reward flowers while minimizing travel distance. As they gain experience, individual bees balance both factors to optimize their routes.
Physicists at UC Berkeley used sensitive magnetometers to search for biomagnetism in the world's largest flower, but found no evidence of a strong magnetic field. Despite being unable to detect a significant magnetic signal, researchers believe studying biomagnetism in plants could lead to new discoveries.
Researchers found optimal light and temperature conditions for Tecoma stans, a flowering shrub native to Central and South America. The plant requires 14+ hours of light per day and supplemental lighting, making it an energy-intensive crop.
Researchers found that rapid growth and wrinkling at the periphery of petals create stress within the bud, forcing it to open. This contradicts earlier theories about flower blooming, but supports a theory proposed by German literary master Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Researchers have discovered that the orchid Satyrium pumilum uses carrion mimicry to attract specific species of flies for pollination. The study found that only female flesh-flies were attracted to the orchids, and that scent plays a crucial role in guiding them into the right position to pick up pollen.
Researchers found that closely-related generalist bees differ in their ability to develop on the same pollen diet, suggesting physiological adaptations. The study suggests that pollen chemistry plays a crucial role in constraining pollen loss to bees, with some plants using chemical defenses to protect their pollen.
Researchers found that three signaling pathways work together to regulate plant pollen production, with two being sufficient for optimal fertility. The study sheds light on the complex interactions between genes and environmental conditions that influence flower formation and reproductive success.
Purdue researchers found that pre-plant bulb dips in paclobutrazol solutions can produce compact, commercially acceptable Easter lilies. The study showed that dipping bulbs resulted in 15-26% shorter plant height at flowering compared to untreated bulbs.
Genetic analysis suggests a single common ancestor triggered the emergence of flowers from pine cone-like structures, with water lilies as potential 'genetic fossils'. This discovery challenges expectations of distinct genetic instructions for each floral organ in early angiosperms.
A new study reveals that elephant-shrews consume the nectar of Pagoda lily flowers and pollinate them. The animals' long noses and tongues allow them to access the nectar without damaging the flowers. This discovery sheds light on the unusual group of non-flying mammals known for their pollination abilities.
Growing plants with red flowers or striped blooms can significantly increase the number of visits from bumblebees, according to a study by Norwich BioScience Institutes. The research found that stripes following the veins of flowers provide a visual guide for pollinators, directing them to nectar and pollen.
Research by Dr. Carlos Herrera found that withered petals form a protective barrier around seeds, preventing insect damage and increasing seed ripening rates in lavender. However, the role of petals in plant fertility is complex and requires further study.
The winners of the Penn State University plant-biology video contest are being announced, with $2,000 in Grand Prizes awarded for innovative and informative videos showcasing plant life. The competition is part of the nonprofit collaborative project ChloroFilms, which promotes fresh and attention-getting videos about plant biology.
Research reveals that carnivorous plants like sundews prioritize pollination over insect safety, with taller flowers attracting more visitors. A study of two sundew species found that longer stems increased flower visits by ten times compared to shorter ones.
A study by Monash University researchers reveals that bees use a 'hot' drink to warm up on cold days and a 'cool' drink in warmer weather. The bees preferred feeding from artificial flowers with warmer nectar, which helped them maintain an optimal body temperature for flight.
Researchers discovered that certain flowers produce heat as a reward to pollinators, which develop larvae in the spent flowers. This finding suggests a novel role for flower heating in plant-pollinator mutualism.
Researchers have found that spraying low concentrations of a compound known as thidiazuron (TDZ) significantly extends the life of potted plants' leaves and flowers. In tests with greenhouse-grown cyclamen plants, TDZ-treated plants had a longer life than unsprayed plants.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered that the plant hormone jasmonic acid regulates nectar production in rapeseed flowers, a critical process for pollination. The study found that jasmonic acid triggers nectar accumulation in response to floral development, regardless of herbivore attack.