Botanical Society of America
@botsocamerica.bsky.social
5.2K followers 230 following 990 posts
The Botanical Society of America mission is to inspire and promote an inclusive global community committed to advancing fundamental knowledge and innovation in the botanical sciences for the benefit of people and the environment.
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botsocamerica.bsky.social
The #Botany360 Graduate Research Fellowship Writing Panel recording is now available! Hear faculty & grad students share insider tips on writing strong applications.

Watch: youtu.be/11L4M8AJ4YY?...

Guide: botany.org/file.php?fil...

⚠️Remember: Always check the NSF GRFP site for the latest updates.
Flyer with a background of green ferns. Title at the top reads: “Graduate Research Fellowship Writing Panel.” Below, on a yellow banner: “Recording Now Available!” Five circular headshots of panelists are arranged across the center: Dr. Sally Chambers, Assistant Professor, Eastern Kentucky University; Dr. T. Michael Anderson, Professor, Wake Forest University; Julianna Harden, PhD Student, Cornell University; Cynthia Webster, PhD Student, University of Connecticut; and Savanna Brown, PhD Student, University of Connecticut. Text below invites viewers to watch a one-hour panel on writing strong research and personal statements for fellowships like the NSF GRFP, featuring reviewer and graduate student perspectives. A large QR code is on the right side. Logos of the NSF, GRFP, and Botanical Society of America are along the bottom, with a note that the event is organized by the BSA’s Early Career Professional Development Committee.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
🍂 Fall (or spring in the south!) is the perfect time to join the Botanical Society of America. Join now and get 3 extra months of membership free—through Dec 2026!

Enjoy journal access, $125K+ in awards, Botany 2026 discounts, & more.

Join today: crm.botany.org
Benefits: botany.org/home/members...
Promotional flyer with a red and orange fall theme. Across the top in large white text: “Join BSA Today.” A banner below reads: “Join TODAY and get 3 FREE MONTHS of membership!” A bold heading asks, “WHY JOIN?” followed by bullet points:
Discounts to publish research in, and access to, society journals
Access to over $125,000 in awards and grants
Discounted Botany 2026 registration
Leadership opportunities
At the bottom, a group photo of ten smiling BSA members stands against the fall background, with scattered leaves and a QR code in the lower right corner.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Astragalean819: An Astragalean clade-specific bait set to resolve phylogenetic relationships in #Astragalus

New in #AppsPlantSci by Daniele Buono, Gudrun Kadereit & @dfmoralesb.bsky.social

bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #phylogenetics #botany #Fabaceae #plantscience
Coalescent species tree inferred by ASTRAL-Pro based on 819 homologous gene trees. Numbers to the right of nodes indicate local posterior probability. Pie charts at internal nodes indicate the percentage of quartets in gene trees that agree with the shown main topology (green; average 60.6%, minimum 39.3%, maximum 92.6%), the first alternative topology (yellow; average 18.6%, minimum 3.9%, maximum 36.9%), and the second alternative topology (orange; average 20.8%, minimum 3.5%, maximum 39.4%).
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Drawing your attention to an effort to convince NSF to re-open this year's GRFP competition to second year PhD students. Please consider signing or sharing the petition asking NSF to broaden the application eligibility to what it has been previously. laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition
laurenkuehne.github.io
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Our newest #BSASpotlight features Charli Minsavage-Davis, a grad student at Georgetown University.

Charli studies the evolutionary biology of Spartina patens, uncovering how asexual reproduction shapes diversity and resilience in salt marshes.

Learn more: botany.org/home/careers...

#IamaBotanist
Graphic for the BSA Spotlight Series. Title reads: “Our newest spotlight is on Charli Minsavage-Davis, a graduate student at Georgetown University.” On the right, text explains: “Charli studies the evolutionary biology of Spartina patens, a salt marsh foundation species threatened by sea-level rise. By combining quantitative modeling and next-generation sequencing, Charli is uncovering how asexual reproduction shapes genetic diversity and resilience in coastal ecosystems.”
Background image shows Charli smiling in a grassy marsh, wearing a tank top and bandana. In the distance, people are working in the marsh with red flags marking research plots. At the bottom: “To learn more, visit www.botany.org.”
botsocamerica.bsky.social
We’ve kicked off the 2025 BSA Gift Membership Drive—and we’re only at 15 so far!

Gift memberships ($20/1 yr, $55/3 yrs) can be purchased for students or for colleagues from developing nations, or donated by marking an "X" in the recipient fields.

Help us reach 100 by Dec. 31!
www.crm.botany.org
Flyer for the Botanical Society of America’s Gift Membership Drive running September through December 2025. A large green succulent decorates the top right. Text announces the goal of 100 gift memberships purchased by December 31, 2025. Gift memberships can be purchased for students (undergraduate and graduate) and for colleagues in developing nations. They cost $20 for one year or $55 for three years, and can also be donated by marking an “X” in recipient fields for those requesting aid.
Four photos show smiling individuals: a student standing by a research poster, a person holding a large seed or nut, a participant at a conference poster session, and another hugging a tree. A smaller succulent is in the bottom left, and a QR code appears in the bottom right. Website listed: www.crm.botany.org.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
🌵Deadline alert! #Botany2026 Symposia & Colloquia Proposals are due October 16. Help shape the scientific program for our Tucson meeting, themed Biodiversity at the Boundaries!

Submit your proposal and get details here: mailchi.mp/botany.org/b...

or here: www.botanyconference.org

#iamabotanist
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Applying to Grad School: Q&A Panel

Thinking about grad school in botany or the plant sciences? Join us for a free virtual #Botany360 Q&A next Thur, Oct. 9 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Panelists from diverse institutions will answer your questions about the application process.

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Flyer titled “Applying to Grad School: Q&A Panel.” Background of pale pink and white flowers with a mauve overlay. Text reads:
“Are you interested in applying to a graduate program in botany or the plant sciences? Join us for an informational 1-hour panel on October 9th at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern (virtual). Panelists will represent a diversity of institution types and backgrounds and will be available to answer attendee questions. Register using the QR code below!”
Box at bottom: “Sponsored by the BSA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.”
Logos of the Botanical Society of America and Botany360 appear at the bottom left, with a QR code at the bottom right.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Environmental versus phylogenetic control of leaf anatomical traits in #Fabaceae, across a continental scale

New #AJB research by Kexiang Huang, Ying Li, Jianming Wang, Wanting Liang, Keyu Zhao, Changsheng Long, Nianting Yu et al.

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
#plantscience #legumes #phylogeny
Anatomical cross-section of a leaf with distinct epidermis, palisade, and spongy tissues.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Raspberry Pi–powered temperature monitoring of growth chamber microclimates

New in #AppsPlantSci by Ballenger, @kmurphyphd.bsky.social, @maliagehan.bsky.social et al

bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @plantcv.bsky.social @danforthcenter.bsky.social #RaspberryPi #phenotyping #botany
Some of the necessary equipment to build a Raspberry Pi powered imaging and temperature sensor system for research.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
📢 Happening this Friday! Join us for the #Botany360 Graduate Research Fellowship Writing Panel on Oct 3, 2025 at 1 pm ET.

Hear from reviewers & grad students on writing strong NSF GRFP applications + fellowship tips. Free & open to students!

Register:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#IamaBotanist
Flyer for the Graduate Research Fellowship Writing Panel hosted by the Botanical Society of America’s Early Career Professional Development Committee. Event date: Friday, October 3, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET. The flyer background is green ferns. At the top are large white letters with the event title. Photos of five panelists are displayed in circles: Dr. Sally Chambers (Assistant Professor, Eastern Kentucky University), Dr. T. Michael Anderson (Professor, Wake Forest University), Julianna Harden (PhD Student, Cornell University), Cynthia Webster (PhD Student, University of Connecticut), and Savanna Brown (PhD Student, University of Connecticut). A text box describes the session: a one-hour panel on writing strong research and personal statements for fellowships like the NSF GRFP, with perspectives from reviewers and graduate students, strategies for effective applications, and broadly useful guidance for fellowship or grant proposals. A large QR code with the label “Students register here!” appears on the right. At the bottom are logos for NSF GRFP, the Botanical Society of America, and partner organizations.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Effectiveness of interval photography cameras for a survey of pollinator communities: Comparison with direct observation

New in #AppsPlantSci by Watazu, Hiraiwa, Inoue, Mishima, Ushimaru & Hosaka

bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #botany #pollination #ecology #plantscience
A bumble bee (Bombus diversus) visiting Ligularia japonica flowers, captured by interval photography. Photo credit: Tomohiro Watazu
botsocamerica.bsky.social
The latest American Journal of #Botany is now online at bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15372197...!

Check out these issue highlights at botany.org/file.php?fil...!

#botany #plantscience #fossils #phylogenetics #mycorrhizae
When evaluating insect visitation on diploid Centaurea aspera, tetraploid C. seridis, and their triploid hybrids (C. × subdecurrens) on the dunes of El Saler (Valencia, Spain), Halictus scabiosae was identified as one of the most frequent visitors. Females usually played the primary role in pollination. In this image, a male H. scabiosae approaches a female while she visits the flower head of a tetraploid C. seridis. See “Insect visitation patterns in diploid Centaurea aspera and its related allotetraploid and triploid hybrids: Similar rates but distinct assemblages” by Alfonso Garmendia et al. in this issue.

(Photo credit: Alfonso Garmendia.)
Reposted by Botanical Society of America
maggie-r-wagner.bsky.social
"Root and shoot microbiomes are very distinct" is one of the most consistent patterns we see. But this timely article makes a well-supported argument that aboveground and belowground microbiomes of a single plant are definitely not independent! bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Reposted by Botanical Society of America
blackrockforest.bsky.social
New paper from @hannamakowski.bsky.social ! They studied tiny hairs on the American Bellflower and found that longer hairs promote self-fertilization, while faster hair retraction helps attract #pollinators to ensure outcrossing. bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Microscopic view of tiny hairs inside the American Bellflower Campanula americana, the American bellflower, or tall bellflower, is a bellflower native to eastern North America.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Thanks so much for publishing with AJB, Hanna!
Reposted by Botanical Society of America
hannamakowski.bsky.social
Last paper from my PhD work is out! This one was a lot of fun.

Learned a lot about the benefits and limitations of machine learning in image analysis.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Trait specialization facilitates autonomous selfing ability in a mixed-mating plant

New #AJB research by @hannamakowski.bsky.social, Keric Lamb, Austin Kim, Emily Scott & Laura Galloway

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...

#boyany #plantscience #evolution #pollen @uvabio.bsky.social
Cross-section of a Campanula americana  style showing pollen-collecting hairs at different stages of retraction. These hairs, a form of secondary pollen presentation, initially hold pollen along the style and gradually retract to release it. Three pollen grains remain visible on one of the hairs.
Reposted by Botanical Society of America
aemcp.bsky.social
Something beautiful for your Friday! #OpenAccess in #AJB #SocietyJournal
botsocamerica.bsky.social
The origin & diversification of #Amaryllidaceae: A phylogenetic & biogeographic analysis

New #AJB research by Zoë Dennehy-Carr, Kálmán Könyves, Chris Yesson, John David & Alastair Culham

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
#plantscience #biogeography #FossilFriday #evolution
Members of each Amaryllidaceae tribe, showing examples of morphological variation across the family. Photos belong to Zoë Dennehy-Carr, Alastair Culham, and John David, except for Calostemmateae.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
🌼🎨 From the upcoming #AJB Special Issue: “Paradigm Shifts in #Flower Color" 🎨🌼

Stacked scattering: The key to bright #flowers lies in the mesophyll

By Larissa De Paola, Thomas Veldhuis, Marjan Kraaij, Doekele Stavenga, @kiratiedge.bsky.social, Casper van der Kooi

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2... #botany
Flowers are a stack of cell layers, where each layer has specific scattering and pigmentation properties.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
#AppsPlantSci is planning a special issue highlighting innovative uses of target-enrichment sequence data, and we're seeking proposals!

More info here: botany.org/home/publica...

Deadline 30 Nov 2025‪‬

@emcassey.bsky.social @erikarmoore11.bsky.social @yannickwoudstra.bsky.social #genomics
The text at the top reads: “APPS Special Issue Call for Papers: Beyond phylogenomics: Innovative applications of target capture data”. The image beneath the title: On the left side of the image is a large circle divided in two halves: the left side of the circle comprises four images of flowers/herbarium specimens and the right side of the circle contains the text “Target Capture.” Five dotted line arrows point from the large circle to five smaller circles on the right. Smaller circles (clockwise from top): (1) “Off Target”, (2) “Biodiversity assessments”, (3) “Population genomics”, (4) “Evo-Devo”, (5) “Species identification”. The text beneath the image reads: “Proposal deadline November 30, 2025”. The Applications in Plant Sciences logo is in the bottom left corner, and a QR code is in the bottom right corner. Image credit: Yannick Woudstra.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
🔥🌱 From the #AJB Special Issue: “Understanding novel #fire regimes using plant trait‐based approaches" 🌱🔥

#Sequoia and Sequoiadendron: Two paleoendemic megatrees with markedly different adaptive responses to recent high-severity fires

By Jon Keeley & @jgpausas.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
Although most trees in western USA conifer forests are killed by high intensity crown fires, most California coast redwoods survive by resprouting (photo by Jon Keeley, 2 years after the CZU Fire in Big Basin State Park).
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Meet our August #BSASpotlight, Sarita Munoz-Gomez!

Sarita is a graduate student at Clemson University investigating sex determination in Baccharis species using genomic and developmental approaches.

🌱 Learn more about Sarita on her BSA Spotlight page: botany.org/home/careers...

#IamaBotanist
A graduate student, Sarita Munoz-Gomez, wearing a black mask and black shirt, works carefully with green potted plants inside a greenhouse. She is using test tubes held in a bright blue rack while handling plant stems and flowers. Text on the graphic highlights her research on sex determination in Baccharis species at Clemson University, her previous work on floral pigmentation in Mimulus pictus, and her passion for science communication, illustration, and making plant biology accessible. The image includes the BSA Spotlight Series logo and website link (www.botany.org).
botsocamerica.bsky.social
Check out this new #AJB Review by Connor Morozumi et al.!

Aboveground-belowground microbial interactions in plants: A call to recognize the complexity within multispecies microbial communities

doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...

#plantscience #botany #ecology #endophytes #Epichloë #mycorrhizae
Researchers like Amanda Griffin at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study aboveground-belowground microbial interactions to make plant microbiome research more predictive.
botsocamerica.bsky.social
On October 9, experience One Night for the Amazon—a one-night-only livestream premiere of the award-winning documentary We Are Guardians.

Tickets support Indigenous forest guardians protecting and regenerating the Amazon. Watch live—or anytime through Oct 16.

Get tickets: bit.ly/weareguardianslive
This is am image about the exclusive virtual screening premier of We Are Guardians. For more information, visit: bit.ly/weareguardianslive