Plants are amazing. They change and adapt to their surroundings. One key way they do this is by adjusting the density of their wood. This trait, wood density, is crucial for understanding how much carbon plants store and how they function in their ecosystems. A recent study gathered a massive amoun
The impact of foreign plants on local ecosystems is often discussed, but the effects on soil nutrients and microbes are not always clear. A recent study dug into this topic by examining the soil around Ageratina adenophora, a plant that has spread rapidly in many areas. This plant is not from around
Leucaena leucocephala is a plant that has earned a spot on the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species. This is due to the harm it can cause to local plant life. It grows quickly and can reproduce rapidly. It also adapts well to different environments. These traits help it take over new areas
The world is facing a big problem with invasive plants. These plants are spreading quickly because of global trade and climate change. In places with mild weather, plants that can handle drought and thrive in many environments have a big advantage. One such plant is Kalanchoe x houghtonii. It is als
Plants are amazing. They can survive in tough conditions and some can even bounce back from freezing temperatures. One such plant is Pogostemon yatabeanus, a rare species found only in Korea. Scientists have found a way to preserve this plant using a method called cryopreservation. This method is li
Brazil is home to a unique landscape called canga. This is a type of rocky terrain that is rich in iron. It is also home to many plants that are found nowhere else in the world. Two of these plants are Lippia hermannioides and Matayba marginata. These plants grow in a specific type of environment kn
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is home to vast alpine meadows. These meadows are crucial for the stability of the grassland ecosystem. However, climate change is affecting these meadows in ways that are not fully understood. Two key factors are at play: rising temperatures and increased nitrogen in the s
The Heliophila plant family, with over 100 species, is the most diverse in the Brassicaceae lineage. It's mostly found in southern Africa, near two biodiversity hotspots. A close relative, Chamira, has a unique trait: it keeps its seed leaves. Researchers found a big genome change, like a duplicatio
Scientists have found something fascinating in the leaves of Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). They discovered a specific compound called β-D-galactopyranoside seco-phytoporphyrin. This compound was isolated using a technique called column chromatography. To confirm it
