The family Balsaminaceae, which contains the species-rich genus Impatiens and the single-species genus Hydrocera (H. triflora), is essentially herbaceous and is nested into a largely woody clade of Ericales. Lens et al. compare a molecular phylogeny of Balsaminaceae with wood anatomical observations to determine whether the woodier species are derived from herbaceous relatives (i.e. secondary woodiness), [...]

Satellite DNA is a genomic component present in virtually all eukaryotic organisms and is an important element in genome organization and evolution in plants. Rosato el al. assess the presence and physical distribution of the repetitive DNA E180 family in 70 accessions from Medicago and allied genera. The results suggest that recurrent and independent evolutionary episodes [...]

The timing and synchrony of male and female flowering in wheat is a crucial determinant of seed set and may be an important factor affecting gene flow and resilience to climate change. Lukac et al.  assess the anther and stigma activity of each floret on developing ears of wheat, Triticum aestivum, and find that synchrony between [...]

The main function of plant latex is assumed to be defensive, preventing entry of pathogens into wounds. Bauer and Speck examine the role of coagulation of latex in restoring mechanical properties by measuring the tensile strength of bark samples of Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) at intervals after wounding. They find a significant increase in strength [...]

The potential for gene exchange between species with different ploidy levels has long been recognized, but only a few studies have tested this hypothesis in situ and most of them have focused on not more than two co-occurring species. De hert et al  examine hybridization patterns in three species of the genus Dactylorhiza (Orchidaceae; diploid D. [...]