Phylogenomics data place the enigmatic plankton in the middle of the algal family tree, despite their apparent lack of plastids—an organelle characteristic of all other algae.

Whether the galls that aphids make on witch hazel leaves are red or green is associated with a gene expressed in the insects’ salivary glands.

Their relocation explains horizontal genome transfer first described more than a decade ago.

Researchers disentangle complex connections among vegetation, herbivores, and dung in the South African savanna.

In South Africa, the composition of droppings varies by species’ body sizes, and which animals are found where depends on vegetation density.

NASA’s vegetable production system, known as Veggie, may help pave the way for more sophisticated systems that could supplement astronauts’ diets during long trips to space.

To avoid wasting digestive energy, the plant only seals shut after sensing certain prey movements.

The antimicrobial compounds ants excrete to defend themselves from pathogens may protect plants as well.

Trigger hairs on the lobes of the trap are tuned to respond to wriggling prey.

Microscopic plant remnants found near the bones indicate that the ancient humans practiced burying rituals, but the archaeological field is not in full agreement.

Evolution imbued ants with an agriculture strategy that optimizes food rewards.

Studies on various roadside layouts and species tend to yield different results for plants’ effectiveness at alleviating pollution.

Hunter-gatherers cooked and ate carb-rich rhizomes.

From bubbling plants to endangered whales, here are some amazing images from The Scientist in 2019.

Human activities may be affecting both narrow-ranged plants and widespread ones.

The site, Corral Bluffs in Colorado, also reveals how plants evolved and how ecosystems rebounded after the asteroid impact.

Researchers devise a way to make plants’ stomata open and close more quickly.

Arabidopsis with guard cells modified by a light-activated potassium ion channel can open and close stomata more quickly, conserving water.

See photographs from a project documenting seed vaults around the world.