Has Not Occurred in Almost 100 Years – Scientists Discover New Unusual Genus of Fairy Lantern
A new species and genus of fairy lantern, tiny glass-like white plants that feed on fungi, has been discovered in Japan. In the country renowned…
Botany News
Botany is the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance. This branch of biology covers a wide range of plant forms and structures, from the smallest algae and mosses to large trees. Botanists study how plants evolve, adapt to various environments, and interact within ecosystems. They also explore how plants can be used for food, medicine, and other human needs, such as biofuels and building materials. The field of botany is vital for addressing challenges related to agriculture, conservation, and climate change, as understanding plant life is essential for maintaining biodiversity and managing natural resources sustainably.
Forever Changing the Treescape of Cities – The 400-Year-Old History of Oaks May Be Coming to an End
The nearly 400-year-old history of oaks in South Africa may be coming to an end, forever changing the treescape of towns and cities such as…
New Discovery Brings Nearly Dead Plants Back to Life
Discovery brings nearly dead plants back to life. Scientists have been aware of a specific organelle in plant cells for more than a hundred years….
Unearthing Ancient Agriculture: Rare Pre-Contact Agave Species Discovered in Arizona
New findings recently published in the journal Annals of Botany reveal that researchers have found unaltered agave plant species cultivated by several early cultures including…
Leonardo da Vinci Was Wrong – Scientists Disprove “Rule of Trees”
A new method for measuring carbon uptake in trees highlights the potential vulnerability of large trees to drought conditions. Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Rule of Trees’…
Not Science Fiction – The Peculiar Sex Lives of Orchids
A global database of pollination data for almost 3000 orchid species. A recent study published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society utilized a…
“The Most Dramatic Evolutionary Biogeography Story I’ve Ever Seen” – Plant Fossils Reveal Ancient South America-to-Asia “Escape Route”
Newly discovered fossils in Argentina provide evidence that changes in climate and geography may have compelled a well-known species of spurge plants to migrate from…
Ancient California Fossil Unlocks Secrets of Coffee and Potato Ancestors’ Survival Amid Dinosaur Extinction
An ancient 80-million-year-old fossil plant rewrites the history of lamiids, revealing that these flowering plants, including staple crops, evolved earlier than previously believed and suggesting…
How Two “Touch-Me-Not Plants” Plants Fooled Scientists for Decades
Sometimes, scientists can be too ‘Impatiens‘ when naming species Nestled in the center of the world’s deepest valley are two plants that have confounded scientists…
Surprising Study Finds Watching TV Is Good for the Planet
A new paper in the scientific journal Annals of Botany, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that watching nature documentaries makes people more interested in…
New Type of Symbiotic Relationship Discovered Between Algae and Fungi
Researchers from the Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, described the symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae which science has largely overlooked until now….
How Modern Agriculture Turned a Wild Plant Into a Problematic Weed
New research has discovered that agriculture is causing rapid evolutionary changes not only on farms but also in wild species in adjacent areas. An international…
100-Year-Old Paleontology Mystery Solved: Yale Scientists Uncover How Ancient Plants Adapted To Land
A recent study has solved a longstanding mystery in paleontology, revealing how early plants were able to transition from aquatic environments to land through changes…
Research Shows Gravitational Action of Sun and Moon Influences Behavior of Plants and Animals
A new study highlights the significant impact of gravitational tides on biological rhythms across various organisms. Even in isolated conditions, these tides dictate behaviors and…
Meet the “Extinct Species” That Was Just Rediscovered After 200 Years
Extinct species rediscovered in Winterhoek mountains, South Africa, after 200 years. Last seen in 1804, psoralea cataracta was rediscovered by Brian du Preez, a Ph.D….
New Species of Flea Beetle Discovered, Burumoseria Yuae
Researchers detail the discovery of a new species of flea beetle, Burumoseria yuae. Nausea, vomiting, and weakness are but a few of the symptoms one…
Human Obsession With Orchids Goes As Far Back As Roman Times
A careful study of ancient artifacts in Italy has pushed back the earliest documented appearance of orchids from the Renaissance to Roman times. The orchid’s…
Scientists Reconstruct Ancient Permian Ecosystem from Ash-Covered Plants
Paleoecologists have reconstructed a Permian-era swampy forest, filled with long-extinct plant species, thanks to analyses of well-preserved fossils entombed in a layer of volcanic ash…