Balanophora plants represent an extreme example of this shift. They do not produce their own food through photosynthesis but ...

In the damp understory of forests in Taiwan, mainland Japan, and Okinawa, a plant called Balanophora can fool you at first ...

The study reveals how Balanophora plants function despite abandoning photosynthesis and, in some species, sexual reproduction. Their plastid genomes shrank dramatically in a shared ancestor, yet the ...

Researchers report a nontraditional genetic code in a parasitic land plant. Parasitic plants that do not photosynthesize derive nutrients by forming vascular connections with host plants. Such ...

Unlike us, plants don't need pantries full of food to stay alive; the Sun is their pantry. But, like us, they require fairly regular sustenance, which they create via photosynthesis. This seemingly ...

Eleanor has an undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Reading and a master’s in wildlife documentary production from the University of Salford. Eleanor has an undergraduate degree in ...

Cross sections of C3 rice (left) and C4 sorghum (right) shoots. Both grain crops evolved from a common ancestor, but sorghum evolved to photosynthesize more efficiently. LA JOLLA (November 20, ...

Every time Maiya publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from ...

Salk researchers have discovered how some plant species evolved a more efficient photosynthesis approach; findings could help make staple crops including rice and wheat more resilient to climate ...

Discover interesting facts about why plants are green, if they feel pain, and if they get cancer. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.