Betalains are tyrosine-derived red-violet and yellow plant pigments known for their antioxidant activity, health-promoting properties, and wide use as food colorants and dietary supplements. By coexpressing three genes of the recently elucidated betalain biosynthetic pathway, we demonstrate the heterologous production of these pigments in a variety of plants, including three major food crops: t...

Nature of Work: Commercial production and management of ornamental groundcovers is especially difficult due to the cyclic nature of market demand. During peak periods, production cannot keep pace with demand due to many species possessing strong apical dominance resulting in few cuttings per stock plant (3). Secondly, vining plants held during the slack market periods become entwined and requir...

Datura is one of the most interesting plants with hallucinogenic properties. Despite having a reputation as one of the 'darker' hallucinogens, it has been widely used by societies historically in both the Old World and the New, and continues to be today. For those interested in ethnobotanical uses of this plant world-wide, Datura is a fascinating topic. While being limited in its uses economica...