The world’s oldest moss has seen three mass extinctions — but may not survive climate change. The genus Takakia has the highest number of fast-evolving genes of any moss, researchers…
Category: Plants
Flowers pollinated by honeybees make lower-quality seeds
Flowers pollinated by honeybees make fewer and lower-quality seeds than flowers visited by other pollinators. That could be because honeybees spend more time buzzing between flowers of the same plant…
Marjorie Weber explores plant-protecting ants and other wonders of evolution
A crack team of arthropod bodyguards may be defending that cherry tree in your backyard or the maple across the street. Mites protect plants by acting like herds of grazing…
Air pollution monitoring may accidentally help scientists track biodiversity
The ability to track animals and plants is up in the air — literally — thanks to help from an unexpected source. Around the globe, many air quality control stations…
A hunt for fungi might bring this orchid back from the brink
If you ever come across a Cooper’s black orchid in the wild, you probably would mistake it for a stick — or perhaps an odd potato if you dig a…
Soil microbes that survived tough climates can help young trees do the same
Microbial stress can be a boon for young trees. Saplings grown in soil microbes that have experienced drought, cold or heat are more likely to survive when faced with those…
Ultrasound reveals trees’ drought-survival secrets
The tissues of living trees may hold the secrets of why some can recover after drought and others die. But those tissues are challenging to assess in mature forests. After…
Plant‑Based Protein Manufacturing Summit spotlights growing appetite for animal and dairy-free alternatives
14 Apr 2023 — The Plant‑Based Protein Manufacturing Summit in Amsterdam (April 12-13) highlighted that plant-based continues in an upwards trajectory, with companies needing to produce more to satiate consumer…
Lack of funds forces Philippi vegetable soup kitchen to cut down on meals
Rickey Muller is a volunteer at the Food for Life South Africa’s Western Cape branch. The organisation prepares large pots of plant-based meals for dozens of soup kitchens across the…
FDA cautions manufacturers of plant-based proteins to remember allergens
The Food and Drug Administration is reminding manufacturers of plant-based proteins to be aware of the legal requirements of such products. The reminder is a pre-emptive strike for developers and…
