Colourful cones: how did flower colour first evolve?

• Published in: Journal of experimental botany Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 759 - 767
• Main Author: Rudall, Paula J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: UK Oxford University Press 23.01.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Biological Evolution; Color; Cycadopsida - genetics; Flowers; Fossils; Magnoliopsida - genetics; Pigmentation - genetics; Pollination; Seed Dispersal; pigments; conical cells; fossil fingerprints; anthocyanin; cone scales; evolution; flower colour

Flowers with contrasting colours represent an iconic feature of Angiosperms. This review explores the cryptic clues that exist in both living and fossil seed plants for the evolutionary origins of flower colour. Abstract Angiosperms that are biotically pollinated typically produce flowers with brigh...