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The pitcher trap is a striking example of convergent evolution across unrelated carnivorous plant lineages. Convergent traits that have evolved across pitcher plant lineages are essential for trap function, suggesting that key selective pressures are in action. Recent studies have also revealed patterns of divergent evolution in functional pitcher morphology within genera. Adaptations to differences in local prey assemblages may drive such divergence and, ultimately, speciation. Here, we review recent research on convergent and divergent evolution in pitcher plant traps, with a focus on the genus Nepenthes, which we propose as a new model for research into adaptive radiation and speciation.

\"This veritable marine treasure trove of a book is richly illustrated by the author, with fifty of the most beautiful, easily encountered, and sometimes astonishing marine organisms found on British coasts, from seemingly exotic seahorses and starfish, to peculiar sea-potatoes and sea lemons.0Together, these characterful critters paint a colourful picture of life between the tides: starfish that, upon losing an arm, can grow a new one; baby sharks hatching from their fancifully named \"mermaid' purses\"; ethereal moon jellyfish pulsating in the current and, on some seabeds, even coral. Beachcombing, overturning a boulder or simply parting the strands of seaweed in a rock pool offer a glimpse into a thriving underwater world of curious creatures. 0Inspired by the Oxford University of Natural History's exceptionally rich zoology collections, which contain millions of specimens amassed from centuries of expeditions, this book tells the story of life on the seashore.\"--Publisher's description.

Endoparasitic plants are the most reduced flowering plants, spending most of their lives as a network of filaments within the tissues of their hosts. Despite their extraordinary life form, we know little about their biology. Research into a few species has revealed unexpected insights, such as the total loss of plastome, the reduction of the vegetative phase to a proembryonic stage, and elevated information exchange between host and parasite. To consolidate our understanding, we review life history, anatomy, and molecular genetics across the four independent lineages of endoparasitic plants. We highlight convergence across these clades and a striking trans-kingdom convergence in life history among endoparasitic plants and disparate lineages of fungi at the molecular and physiological levels. We hypothesize that parasitism of woody plants preselected for the endoparasitic life history, providing parasites a stable host environment and the necessary hydraulics to enable floral gigantism and/or high reproductive output. Finally, we propose a broader view of endoparasitic plants that connects research across disciplines, for example, pollen–pistil and graft incompatibility interactions and plant associations with various fungi. We shine a light on endoparasitic plants and their hosts as under-explored ecological microcosms ripe for identifying unexpected biological processes, interactions and evolutionary convergence.

As a child, Chris Thorogood dreamed of seeing Rafflesia - the plant with the world's largest flowers. He crafted life-size replicas in an abandoned cemetery, carefully bringing them to life with paper and paint. Today he is a botanist at the University of Oxford's Botanic Garden and has dedicated his life to studying the biology of such extraordinary plants, working alongside botanists and foresters in Southeast Asia to document these huge, mysterious blooms. 'Pathless Forest' is the story of his journey to study and protect this remarkable plant - a biological enigma, still little understood, which invades vines as a leafless parasite and steals its food from them.

The Orobanchaceae family, the largest group of parasitic plants, spans a complete spectrum from autotrophic to holoparasitic species. As a typical endangered holoparasitic species within this family, Cistanche deserticola is a parasitic plant that is widely harvested for traditional medicine in desertic regions, and of growing importance as a cash crop. However, the evolution of C. deserticola at the molecular and cellular level is poorly understood. Here, we constructed the first chromosome-level genome map of C. deserticola. Comparative genomic analyses demonstrated that the C. deserticola genome exhibited a substantial loss of genes related to photosynthesis and immunity (21.58% of the total genes) and contained 115 horizontally transferred genes. This suggested that the genomic evolution of holoparasitic plants was driven by the interplay between the acquisition of functional genes and the loss of genes specific to plant tissues or functions. Additionally, parasitism-related cells were identified using a high-resolution single-cell transcriptomic atlas, revealing stage-specific differentiation during the parasitic process. Early cells (cluster 11) highly expressed dopamine/tyrosine metabolism pathways genes (e.g., polyphenol oxidase), driving phenylethanoid glycoside biosynthesis. By contrast, mature cells (cluster 10) show high levels of gene expression relating to carbohydrate metabolism in association with nutrient acquisition. Connecting these insights, we developed a comprehensive C. deserticola database to integrate multi-omics and ecological data (http://60.30.67.246:7006/Home). This builds a robust molecular foundation for exploring pathways to parasitism in plants more broadly.

For the first time, this extraordinary compilation showcases weird, mysterious and bizarre plants from around the world. Plants trick, kill, steal and kidnap, and this unique book explores a fascinating world in which plants have turned the tables on animals. Author Chris Thorogood showcases these plant behaviors, the interrelationships among plants, the interdependencies between plants and animals, and the intrigue of plant evolution. All types of weird and sinister creatures are featured in this book, from carnivorous plants that drug, drown and consume unsuspecting insect prey; giant pitcher plants that have evolved toilets for tree shrews; flowers that mimic rotting flesh to attract pollinating flies, and orchids that duplicitously look, feel and even smell like a female insect to bamboozle sex-crazed male bees.

The genus Cistanche is the subject of considerable taxonomic confusion due to reduced morphology, poor preservation in herbaria, and misidentification. Here we re-examine the Cistanche of Israel, a region that falls within the broader Middle Eastern centre of diversity for the genus, but has been neglected from systematic attention. In our reconsideration we address taxonomic confusion in the region and confirm the presence of C. tubulosa and C. violacea , report for the first time the occurrence of C. laxiflora plus a separate entity we refer to as C. tinctoria , and describe a new species, C. mimii . We observe considerable phenotypic plasticity hitherto unreported, for example fruit valve number. Together, our findings suggest that species circumscription and diversity are still poorly understood and require careful examination in the field at a local scale. We provide a key for all Cistanche species in the region, along with an assessment of their ecology and conservation considerations. Finally, we consider our findings within the broader context systematics in this complicated genus.

Parasitic plants, though often overlooked, are of exceptional importance and play a major functional role in the world's ecosystems. Where parasitic plants affect agricultural systems, they pose a threat to global food security at a time when this is already foreshadowed by a fast‐changing climate, a growing human population, economic volatility and abiotic stressors. Parasitic plants include evolutionary enigmas, for example, the world's largest flowers and plants that grow inside other plants; they are also models for exploring plastome evolution and plant–plant interactions. In this special issue of Plants, People, Planet, 16 articles give a holistic, multidimensional snapshot into current parasitic plant biology and present ways forward in the context of major global change.

The durian (genus Durio) has aroused curiosity among botanists for centuries, and influenced local culture across Southeast Asia for millennia. Of the 30 described species of Durio, about a third produce edible fruits, yet just one (Durio zibethinus) is grown on a commercial scale. Several new species have been described recently, which may be a reservoir of important genetic resources. Meanwhile, unregulated durian cultivation triggered by rapidly growing demand and a high return on investment may pose a threat to natural forests. Here we review recent findings in the genus with a focus on Malaysia and Indonesia. We suggest that further research into obscure wild relatives and local cultivars, will be important in the context of growing international demand for durian, coupled with an increasing reliance on commercial cultivars of this economically and culturally important fruit. Finally we suggest greater attention should be given to the potential threat to biodiversity posed by illegal durian plantations in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet. Durian (genus Durio) telah menimbulkan rasa ingin tahu dalam kalangan ahli botani sejak berabad‐abad lamanya dan mempengaruhi budaya tempatan di rantau Asia Tenggara selama beribu tahun. Daripada 30 spesies Durio yang dihuraikan, kira‐kira satu pertiga menghasilkan buah yang boleh dimakan, namun hanya satu (Durio zibethinus) yang ditanam pada skala komersial. Beberapa spesies baharu telah dihuraikan kebelakangan ini, yang mungkin merupakan takungan sumber genetik yang penting. Sementara itu, penanaman durian secara tidak terkawal yang dicetuskan oleh permintaan yang semakin meningkat dan pulangan pelaburan yang tinggi mungkin menimbulkan ancaman kepada hutan semula jadi. Di sini kami menyemak semula penemuan terbaru genus ini dengan memfokuskan kepada Malaysia dan Indonesia. Kami mencadangkan bahawa penyelidikan lanjut ke atas kerabat liar dan kultivar tempatan yang masih tidak jelas, akan menjadi penting dalam konteks permintaan antarabangsa yang makin meningkat untuk durian, ditambah dengan peningkatan pergantungan pada klon‐klon komersial buah yang penting dari segi ekonomi dan budaya setempat. Akhir sekali, kami mencadangkan perhatian yang lebih, harus diberikan terhadap potensi ancaman kepada biodiversiti, yang diakibatkan oleh ladang durian haram, di satu daripada kawasan yang paling tinggi biodiversiti di planet ini. The durian (genus Durio) has aroused curiosity among botanists for centuries, and influenced local culture across Southeast Asia for millennia. Of the 30 described species of Durio, about a third produce edible fruits, yet just one (Durio zibethinus) is grown on a commercial scale. Several new species have been described recently, which may be a reservoir of important genetic resources. Meanwhile, unregulated durian cultivation triggered by rapidly growing demand and a high return on investment may pose a threat to natural forests. Here we review recent findings in the genus with a focus on Malaysia and Indonesia. We suggest that further research into obscure wild relatives and local cultivars, will be important in the context of growing international demand for durian, coupled with an increasing reliance on commercial clones of this economically and culturally important fruit. Finally we suggest greater attention should be given to the potential threat to biodiversity posed by illegal durian plantations in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet.