To mow or not to mow

To mow or not to mow Framers do rather not want toxic plants in their grass clippings that they use as feed for their animals. Now American researchers show in Scientific Reports that mowing actually contributes to the distribution of the toxic silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium). When plants are stressed they turn to survival mode.Continue reading “To mow or not to mow”

Pollen navigation

Pollen navigation Multiple fertilizations of an ovule do not contribute to healthy offspring. Plants therefore have taken measures to prevent this. Now researchers from Japan show how a plant manages this. The landing of a pollen grain on a pistil of a flower is only the first hurdle of fertilization. After landing the pollen grainContinue reading “Pollen navigation”

Many roads lead to the flower

Many roads lead to the flower There are many roads to Rome, or in this case to the flowers of plants like sunflower, gerberas and bellis. That is what researchers of the Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz and Paula Elomaa groups show in the New Pathologist. How the vascular tissues form remains an intriguing phenomenon. So far inContinue reading “Many roads lead to the flower”

Apparently not synchronised

Apparently not synchronised In spring all plants of the same species appear to flower at the same time. Their age apparently does not matter. Now American researchers show that age may indeed have a role. Synchronised flowering of plants is the source of exuberant floral splendour. At the same time it helps with the pollinationContinue reading “Apparently not synchronised”