The study of plant life; e.g. angiosperms, gymnosperms, bryophytes, pteridophytes, and algae.
4
votes
2answers
58 views
Is it possible to grow any kind of plant soilless (hydroponics)?
Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. [wikipedia]
My question is if is it possible to grow any kind of ...
2
votes
1answer
112 views
Why do plants' leaves become enlarged in low light areas?
Why do almost all plants in shade have a smaller stem structure and larger leaf than that same species grown in a well lit, sunny area?
9
votes
1answer
79 views
Why do some fruits have a much wider range of acceptable sizes than others?
Some fruits such as pumpkins can grow to be 100 lbs. Under different conditions, the same variety of pumpkin can produce a 15 lb. fruit. Both plants are healthy, and look the same except for their ...
5
votes
1answer
201 views
Do immature fruits perform photosynthesis?
Most immature fruits are green: peppers, pine cones, plums, lots of them. I want to know if the green is from chlorophyll in the cells. Do the fruit cells perform photosynthesis? When you cover a ...
7
votes
1answer
185 views
If the xylem of a woody plant is composed of dead tissue, how does sapwood become heartwood?
If the xylem of a tree is composed entirely of dead tissue, then that means the sapwood is dead. If so, how does it transform into heartwood, and what starts the process?
9
votes
1answer
80 views
Why do cucurbits produce so much fluid when their stems are cut?
When carrying out some germination tests on species in the Cucurbitaceae, I notice that young plants of this family produce a lot of clear fluid when they are dissected. Most plants I dissect do not ...
10
votes
1answer
111 views
(How) does coppicing fundamentally alter tree growth?
I am interested in adding the ability to model coppice tree production to a model of perennial crops (Miguez et al 2008)..
Implementing the biomass pools and allocation parameters required for tree ...
9
votes
1answer
409 views
What's the effect of oxygen deficit on plants?
As I know all cells require oxygen. So my question is how efficiently can plants operate in no-oxygen atmosphere? Do all plants produce enough oxygen for themselves? Can they consume their own oxygen ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
If only dicots have pith, what is the foam in the middle of cornstalks?
I've heard that the only plants that have pith are dicots, because of the shape of their vascular bundle. If that is true, what is the foam inside of the corn plants, which are monocots?
6
votes
1answer
156 views
How do white Caladiums perform enough photosynthesis to support their mass?
In some white caladiums, there is less than a square inch of green space spread over the whole leaf. How do these plants perform the photosynthesis necessary to support the large leaves, the roots, ...
4
votes
0answers
34 views
Serological assays not detecting native proteins
Is there anyone out there who has done much work with serological assays? We have antiserum for a manufactured viral protein but no luck so far getting it to detect native protein (unless today's ...
14
votes
1answer
178 views
What is the lowest pressure at which plants can survive?
What is the lowest pressure at which plants can survive? How the plants behave in a Martian-type atmosphere? Is there any plant that can survive such atmosphere?
Can a lichen grow at Martian ...
6
votes
2answers
793 views
Are there any motile plants?
There are numerous examples of sessile animals (sponges, barnacles etc.) but are there any examples of motile plants? If not, why not? Surely mobility would have conferred an evolutionary advantage to ...
9
votes
1answer
396 views
Why do some plant species have lobed leaves, while similar species in the same habitat don't?
Some plants have lobed leaves, like the English oak (Quercus robur), while other plants growing the same deciduous woodland habitats, and very often growing alongside oaks, such as the European beech ...
21
votes
1answer
255 views
How long will a vegetable live for after being harvested?
I understand this might depend on the types of vegetables, but is there an average or studied specifics? Does it die immediately? Is there a way to precisely diagnose death in plants? If so, what are ...
12
votes
2answers
284 views
How Do Galls Form?
I am curious how Gall Wasps, bacteria and other organisms induce galls to form.
Specifically, what chemicals induce gall formation?
4
votes
1answer
209 views
What is the largest perennial herbaceous plant?
What is the largest perennial herbaceous plant? My guess would be some kind of banana or bamboo.
7
votes
1answer
522 views
How can a monocot get so massive?
Some monocots (such as palms) are impressively thick and massive, yet botanists maintain that they don't have secondary growth. Why do botanists say this? How can it get so big without secondary ...
-3
votes
1answer
200 views
Which plants live for more than one year and less than two years? [closed]
What kinds of plants live for more than one year and less than two years? Are there any categorical or taxonomical names for such plants?
1
vote
1answer
244 views
Why do plants have pith and how is it useful to them?
Many plants have pith, from walnut trees to corn to ragweed, but I can't think of anything it does them. What is pith and how is it useful to them?
12
votes
2answers
244 views
Why was it so hard to decode the corn genome?
My teachers growing up told me it was impossible to decode the maize genome. But yet its been done.
Why was decoding the genome so significant, and what made it so difficult?
8
votes
1answer
87 views
What are the variables that control/influence the color of oranges(Citrus sinensis)?
I hear that Oranges cultivated in tropical areas of the world tend to be greener when ripe, is that correct?
Even the same type of Orange differs in color if cultivated in California or Florida. I ...
20
votes
4answers
963 views
Do plants produce any heat?
Many plants (e.g. roses, palms) can be protected from frost during the winter if shielded with an appropriate coat that can be bought in garden shops. Do plants produce any heat that can be kept ...
