Hygroscopic awns and inflorescence architecture in a wind-pollinated Australian monocot: functional convergence with grasses
This study redefines the structure and developmental basis of inflorescences and identifies a novel seed dispersal mechanism in Restionaceae. The findings challenge long-standing assumptions on spikelet and bracteole identity and provide compelling evidence for evolutionary plasticity within Poales. The presence of hygroscopic awns in Restionaceae highlights parallel evolution of dispersal strategies with grasses, underscoring the broader significance of functional morphology in understanding inflorescence evolution across monocots.
Authors
- Dmitry D. Sokoloff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6314-9767)
- Terry Desmond Macfarlane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7023-9231)
- Constantin I. Fomichev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7590-2103)
- Barbara G. Briggs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7304-0773)
Institutions
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Lomonosov Moscow State University (RU)
- Australian National Botanic Gardens (AU)
- Longgang Central Hospital (CN)
- Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (AU)
- Moscow State University (TJ)
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (AU)
- Shenzhen Technology University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Annals of Botany
- Published
- 2025-07-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcaf167
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.50