When flowers turn up the heat
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.
Flowers
Articles tagged with Flowers
Longer-lasting flowers: Fresh ideas from ARS researchers
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.
Plant hormone regulates nectar production
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.
Changing flowering times protect tobacco plants against insect herbivory
Scientists discovered that tobacco plants alter their flower opening time in response to insect herbivory, reducing scent emission and attracting hummingbirds as an alternative pollinator. This adaptation helps protect the plant from harm while still allowing for fertilization and reproduction.
Michigan State University study sheds light on microscopic flower petal ridges
Researchers found that the ridges form from cutin polyester, not from underlying surfaces. The discovery could lead to enhanced pollination success and production of polyesters or related chemicals by genetically manipulating plants or microbes.
How the daisy got its spots ... and why
Researchers explore the development and morphology of insect-mimicking spots on the flower petals of a South African beetle daisy. The study found that these spots are composed of three types of epidermal cells, each spanning four fused petal lobes, and are influenced by UV reflectivity and anthocyanin pigment.
Protecting the food crops of the future
The University of Leeds team is developing a digital model to predict the timing of plant flowering, which could help farmers improve crop yields. The model uses computer simulations to account for changes in genetic structure and environmental factors like climate.
University of Florida study provides insight into evolution of first flowers
The study compares genetic structures of Arabidopsis thaliana and Persea americana to understand how the first flowering plants evolved from non-flowering plants. Researchers found significant overlap among organ types, suggesting a genetic 'fossil' that allowed for flower transformation.
Male flower parts responsible for potent grapevine perfume: UBC research
Grapevine flowers' fragrance comes from pollen grains stored in anthers, contrary to common perception that petals produce perfume. The scent serves as a defense mechanism to protect male reproductive tissues from predatory insects.
How moths key into the scent of a flower
Researchers recorded moth brain activity as they smelled individual chemicals from sacred datura flowers. Only nine chemicals provoked a neural response, but all nine were necessary for the moths to fly to and feed on the flowers. This study provides insight into how insects process smells and may apply to human olfactory perception.
A big bunch of tomatoes?
A new study identifies a genetic pathway that determines the pattern of flower growth in tomato plants. The researchers found that manipulation of this pathway can turn a single stem into hundreds of branch-bearing shoots, increasing crop yields.
New genus of self-destructive palm found in Madagascar
A gigantic palm has been discovered in Madagascar with an unusual and spectacular lifecycle, growing up to 18m high and dying after fruiting. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this critically endangered species, with the aim of disseminating it to botanic gardens and growers globally.
Simulating kernel production influences maize model accuracy
Researchers developed a new maize model that simulates kernel formation, increasing accuracy of crop yield predictions. By accounting for pollen movement and other factors, the modified CERES-Maize model provides more accurate estimates across various environmental conditions.
Detecting poisons in nectar is an odour-ous task for honeybees
Honeybees can learn to associate toxic odors with food and retain this ability for up to 24 hours. Researchers found that both sugar content and toxin levels affect a honeybee's memory for learned odours, suggesting they may have an innate ability to react to toxins.
World's largest flower evolved from family of much tinier blooms
Scientists analyzed rafflesia's genome to determine its closest relatives are in the Euphorbiaceae family, with blossoms just a few millimeters in diameter. The plant's massive increase in flower size over millions of years is one of the most significant among living organisms.
Researchers find that bumblebees' flower choice matters
Researchers studying bumblebee behavior have found that the bees' foraging patterns can predict successful seed production. The team has developed an unparalleled data set by testing various combinations of plant species on their reproductive patterns, revealing that adjacent flowers differ markedly in their mating patterns.
With a sense of timing, hummingbirds know when they've last emptied a flower
Researchers found that free-living hummingbirds in Canadian Rocky Mountains have impressive timing abilities, remembering interval between visits to individual flowers. They can maintain 'independent stopwatches' for up to eight different flowers, allowing them to plan efficient nectar harvesting
Long sought-after flowering signal found
Researchers identify FT protein as key player in inducing flower formation, revealing a complex mechanism involving molecular interactions and environmental cues. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop breeding and better control of flowering times.
Long-sought flower-inducing molecule found
A research group has identified a messenger molecule, produced by the FT gene, that induces flower formation in plants. This breakthrough resolves the long-standing mystery of Florigen, a substance thought to control plant flowering, and opens up new possibilities for plant breeding and forestry.
Gene interactions control circadian clock in plants, study finds
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that the genes TOC1 and ZTL control a plant's circadian clock. The study revealed a strong physical interaction between these genes, with ZTL degrading TOC1 to regulate the clock's pace. This discovery sheds light on mechanisms controlling plant flowering time and may benefit agriculture.
Salk scientists identify pathway that determines when plants flower
Researchers discovered a specific protein, PFT1, that triggers flowering in Arabidopsis plants under suboptimal light conditions. The study's findings have implications for improving crop yield and addressing world hunger, particularly in regions where malnutrition is prevalent.
Harry Potter and the Ecuadorian flowers
A new species of the gentian family, Macrocarpaea apparata, has been discovered in Ecuador. The plant was found to have yellowish-white bell-shaped flowers that emerge only as darkness falls, mirroring the magical concept of apparition.
Birds and humans have similar 'shopping' habits
Researchers found that hummingbirds can be influenced by the range of options available, making instant decisions based on perceived energy. This technique has implications for animal decision-making, conservation projects, and marketing theorists.
Palm leaves act like flowers
Researchers discovered that palm leaves emit specific floral notes to attract pollinating weevils during the flowering season. This finding suggests a shift in flower-to-leaf function in plants, opening new questions about pollination system evolution.
Multitasking genes manage related traits in plants
Research finds that genes manage related traits in plant parts, like flowers, to optimize reproduction and survival. A single genetic mechanism regulates the growth of flower parts in correlation, enabling precise construction and successful pollination.
Gene controls plant's clock and flowering time
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a gene called early flowering 4 (ELF4) that regulates when plants flower and maintains their daily rhythmic activity. The discovery may aid agriculture by optimizing vegetative growth and timing of flowering and seed production.
Genetically modified eggplants (aubergines) shown to be 30% more productive
Research in Italy has successfully engineered seedless eggplants using genetic modification, producing 30-35% more fruit than conventional varieties. The genetically modified eggplants have improved productivity, reduced cultivation costs, and can thrive in cooler conditions.
UCSD biologist transform leaves into petals
Biologists at UCSD discover how to genetically convert leaves into petals, a process made possible by the expression of five genes in leaves. The achievement has significant implications for plant development and could lead to the creation of novel plants with colorful, petal-like structures.
Understanding of floral scents blossoms in Purdue laboratory
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that snapdragons release more scent during the day when bees are active, and that this relationship between the flower and bee is crucial for pollination. The study also found that a genetic regulatory mechanism controls the production of floral scents in different plant species.
Genes for unusual flower within a flower are identified by UCSD scientists
A team of biologists at UCSD identified three genes that produce the 'double flower' abnormality, which is prized for its attractiveness. Normal flowers consist of four rings or whorls; when these genes are mutated, petals, stamens and carpels are converted into sepals, resulting in a double-flower character.
Mutant Flowers Mark A Breakdown In Male-Female Communication
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center have identified a mutation in a small flowering plant that disrupts male-female communication, leading to pollen tubes wandering aimlessly. This defect is similar to self-sterility observed in many plant species, which helps maintain genetic diversity.