If leaves could talk - Plants that live on land have tiny pores on the surface of their leaves that allow for gas exchange, somewhat like little mouths. Appearing in the Feb. 1 issue of Nature is news of the identity of two genes responsible for development of these pores. The genes, creatively enough, are called “speechless” and “mute” after the appearance of the mutant pores.

Virus spreading flies - The tiny white fly (B. tabaci) is a carrier of plant viruses that affect many species of plants. Now, the Brown Lab of the University of Arizona has shown that the flies are adapting to new environments and infecting an even greater variety of crop plants.

It takes two - Efforts to repopulate Moroccan forests with Cypress trees failed, that is, until scientists discovered that Cypress health requires fungi neighbors. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form a mutualistic relationship with Cypress trees, offering water and minerals in exchange for Cypress sugars. Co-planting Cypress with lavender or thyme encourages fungal growth and produces even healthier Cypress trees.