Topic description and stories

Plant meristems

Plants increase flower production within a day of soil nutrient application

23 Jan 2018

The molecular mechanisms enabling plants to quickly adapt their rate of flower production in response to changing nutrient levels in soil have been...

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Daisy

Under the Microscope #5 - Daisy

03 Feb 2012

In this video Dr Beverley Glover explains how a daisy is a collection of tiny flowers grouped together to make it look like a single big flower.

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Bees are important pollinators of daisies and many other flowers

Flower power: how to get ahead in advertising

02 Feb 2012

Some plants go to extraordinary lengths to attract pollinators. A unique collaboration between plant scientists and physicists is revealing the full...

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Live imaging of the growing tips of plants

Predictive modelling of plant growth for food and fuel

04 Jul 2011

Fundamental research on plant development at the Sainsbury Laboratory will help in the future design of optimal crops.

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Mentzelia lindleyi

How flowers use a touch of bling to woo the bees

04 Jul 2011

Beetles use it, birds use it. Plants use it too. Iridescence is the shimmery colour effect that makes things eye-catching.

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Pollination

All abuzz about petals

01 May 2010

The amazing diversity of flowers is a biological mystery that has long intrigued scientists. Dr Beverley Glover explains how new understanding of...

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bee

Getting a grip: ‘Velcro’-like structure helps bees stick to flowers

14 May 2009

When bees collect nectar, how do they hold onto the flower? Cambridge University scientists have shown that it is down to small cone-shaped cells on...

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Bee Conquers Thistle

Iridescence enables bees to view flowers in different colours

23 Dec 2008

Bees see some flowers in multicolour because of previously unknown iridescence of the petals, usually invisible to the human eye, researchers from...

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New Hall to achieve Cambridge first at Chelsea Flower Show

17 Jan 2007

For what is believed to be the first time in the event’s 155-year history, a Cambridge college will be contributing a garden to this year’s Chelsea...

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