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Dramatic Diversity of Columbine Flowers Explained by a Simple Change in Cell Shape


November 17, 2011

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Columbine flowers are recognizable by the long, trailing nectar spurs that extend from the bases of their petals, tempting the taste buds of their insect pollinators. According to results published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the dramatic diversity in the length of the columbines' spurs is the result of one simple change during development: the extent of cell elongation.Full Story

Source
Harvard University

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