Phylogenomic conflict in Lycium (Solanaceae): Revealing the roles of hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting, and biogeographic history using nuclear and mitochondrial genomes
Available online 16 February 2026
The genus Lycium is of considerable medicinal and economic importance and has a discontinuous intercontinental distribution. However, its evolutionary history remains obscured by morphological convergence,...
The relative role of regional species pools in determining tree species richness and rarity in Chinese subtropical and tropical forests
Available online 10 February 2026
The species pool hypothesis argues that local species diversity mainly depends on regional diversity, which is influenced by dispersal, historical and current environmental conditions. We hypothesize...
Vegetation sensitivity to drought depends on bedrock type in a subtropical karst landscape in Southwest China
Available online 10 February 2026
Droughts pose a significant global threat to ecosystem stability and plant diversity. The sensitivity of vegetation to drought is highly variable, influenced by both vegetation types and landscape properties....
Phylogenomics unravels the early divergence and diversification in Bignoniaceae
Available online 10 February 2026
Bignoniaceae, a pantropical family comprising 79 genera and 901 species, exhibits remarkable morphological and ecological diversity, including lianas, shrubs, trees, and high-elevation herbs. Reconstructing...
Timing, origins, and drivers of floristic diversity within a global biodiversity hotspot in eastern Asia
Available online 10 February 2026
The Gaoligong Mountains (GLGM), forming the westernmost part of the Hengduan Mountains, is renowned for the high levels of plant species richness and endemism. However, the timing, biogeographic origins...
Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest
Available online 9 February 2026
Crown architectural traits are critical adaptations that balance light capture with mechanical stability. Given that light availability plays a fundamental role in shaping forest community structure,...
Species evolution determines epiphyte evolution in Orchids
Available online 5 February 2026
Orchid diversity and conservation are tightly linked to the evolution of orchid lifeforms (e.g., epiphytic or terrestrial) as epiphytic species are highly sensitive to environmental changes and includes...
Insights into the phylogenetic, structural and functional evolution of LHC superfamily in photosynthetic organisms
Available online 4 February 2026
Photosynthesis is the fundamental process for the survival of photosynthetic organisms. The light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) play a crucial role in light energy capture and transfer. Despite their...
Conserving threatened plant species with widespread distribution: A case study of lethal utilization of anticancer Nothapodytes trees in Asia
January 2026
The global burden of cancer, with over 19 million new cases annually, underscores the urgent need for effective therapies. Among the most promising anticancer compounds is camptothecin (CPT), a monoterpene...
Hangzhou strategic action plan charts a decade for biosphere reserves
January 2026
•The Hangzhou action plan aligns the MAB with global agendas.•The Hangzhou action plan emphasizes people-centered, equity-based implementation.•The plan moves forward by tabling 34 action targets....
Worldwide phylogeny and integrative taxonomy of Clematis: Insights from phylogenomics
January 2026
The genus Clematis (Ranunculaceae) comprises over 300 species with remarkable morphological and ecological diversity worldwide. Despite its horticultural, medicinal, and ecological importance, a well-resolved...
China’s National Botanical Gardens: An innovative model to support global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development
January 2026
•China’s National Botanical Gardens (NGBs) target to protect 70% of threatened species by 2035.•NBGs implement ex situ conservation, scientific research, resource utilization, public education, and...
Bridging gaps in plant conservation: The national red list assessment initiative in India
January 2026
•Plant species assessment and conservation initiatives in developing countries such as India face several constraints and implementation challenges.•Out of ∼55,726 recorded plant species in India, only...
Whole genome sequencing analysis reveals strong reproductive isolation between two hybridizing Rhododendron species in subgenus Tsutsusi
January 2026
•Whole genome sequencing analysis reveal the first case of natural hybridization in Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi in China.•Most examined Rhododendronstrigosum plants (putatively hybrid origin) were...
Root structural remodeling under soil compaction for herbaceous plants
January 2026
Soil compaction often imposes stress on root development and plant survival. However, root anatomical responses that enable persistent root growth and functioning under soil compaction remain unclear....
Complex plastome structural variation caused by intermolecular and intramolecular recombination accounts for leaf variegation in Heptapleurum ellipticum
January 2026
Plastome variation, including single spontaneous nucleotide substitutions and single insertions/deletions, is the major source of leaf variegation in plants. Additionally, one recent study has showed...
Boechera or not? Genomic insights and taxonomic reassessment of the misclassified Asian species B. calcarea (Brassicaceae)
January 2026
The genus Boechera (Brassicaceae) serves as a model system for studying apomictic reproduction and ecological adaptations, with most species occurring in North America. The rare occurrence of Boechera...
Climatic adaptation and phylogenetic history shape the intra-specific variation of CSR strategies in a widespread grass
January 2026
The competitor, stress tolerator, and ruderal strategy (CSR) framework has been widely applied to explain ecological processes across species. However, its utility in revealing intra-specific trade-offs...
The advantage of low leafing intensity under water limitation: An illustrative study of Populus euphratica in hyper-arid climates
January 2026
The trade-off between leaf size and leafing intensity (i.e., the number of leaves per unit stem size) is a key axis of trait covariation across the diversity of plant foliage deployment. However, the...
Co-invasion of three invasive alien plants increases plant taxonomic diversity and community invasibility
January 2026
Alien species from the Asteraceae family frequently invade native plant communities. This study aims to determine how the number of Asteraceae species (i.e., Erigeron canadensis, E. annuus, and Solidago...
Mycorrhizal communities in Orchidaceae are likely shaped by plant trophic mode and biogeography but not phylogeny
January 2026
Mycorrhizal symbioses are prevalent in terrestrial ecosystems and play essential roles in plant nutrition and health. However, the relative importance of plant evolutionary history, physiology, and...
Unraveling the invasion patterns of Galinsoga quadriradiata in mountain ranges: Insights from human activities, phenotypic and genetic variations
January 2026
Prevention of biological invasion requires understanding how alien species invade native communities. Although studies have identified mechanisms that underlie plant invasion in some habitats, limited...
Spatially biased collections and the failure to cover all wild genetic clusters in plant populations under ex situ conservation
January 2026
Successful ex situ conservation of plant populations requires a high degree of genetic representativeness. However, spatially biased sampling in ex situ conservation efforts may fail to capture all...
The SLOSS debate in fragmented grasslands: A multi-dimensional biodiversity perspective
January 2026
Conservationists have long debated whether fragmented habitats are best conserved by protecting a single large patch (SL) or several small patches (SS), i.e., the SLOSS debate. Although this SLOSS debate...
Unravelling tree diversity patterns and responses to environmental gradients in a tropical forest landscape of the Western Ghats
January 2026
Understanding spatial patterns of plant species diversity and the factors (e.g., climate and human) that drive these patterns is essential for biodiversity conservation. We used data from 170 0.1-ha...