The fact that plant invasions are an ongoing process makes generalizations of invasive spread extraordinarily challenging. This is particularly true given the idiosyncratic nature of invasions, in which both historical and local conditions affect establishment success and hinder our ability to generate guidelines for early detection and eradication of invasive species. To overcome these limitat...

BACKGROUND: Total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts from leaf parts of 13 Korean traditional salad plants were investigated in order to determine their properties. RESULTS: The highest phenolics content (mg ferulic acid equivalents kg−1 dry weight (d.w.), omit one) was found in methanol extracts from Polygonum aviculare, at 293.7 ± 6.0, followed b...

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to determine the mechanisms generating biodiversity. In Begonia, one of the largest plant genera (1900+ species), it has been postulated that the high number of endemic species is a by-product of low gene flow among populations, which predisposes the group to speciation. However, this model of divergence requires that reproductive barriers accumulate rapi...

The genus Begonia is greatly affected by abiotic stresses, which lead to losses in greenhouse production and flower longevity. Obtaining more-tolerant plants a very important breeding goal ornamentals. To achieve tolerant Begonia×tuberhybrida, OsmiR393a, miRNA involved the tolerance of was introduced using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Explants were cultured on modified MS medium suppl...

Stomata are microscopic pores formed by specialized cells in the leaf epidermis and permit gaseous exchange between the interior of the leaf and the atmosphere. Stomata in most plants are separated by at least one epidermal pavement cell and, individually, overlay a single substomatal cavity within the leaf. This spacing is thought to enhance stomatal function. Yet, there are several genera nat...