New Progress in Research on the Evolution of Flower Shape, Flower Orientation, and Flower Color Associations
The origin of symmetrical flowers on both sides is one of the three key innovative events in the radiation differentiation process of angiosperms. Bilateral symmetric flowers often have horizontal orientation and asymmetric nectar conduction patterns, while radiative symmetric flowers typically have opposite sets of characteristics. Numerous studies in angiosperms, especially in core eudicots, have shown that the CYCLOIDEA (CYC) class genes of the TCP transcription factor family extensively determine the morphogenesis of bilaterally symmetric flowers. However, it is currently unclear how the floral orientation and nectar guidance modes were established.
Recently, The Plant Cell published a research paper titled "CYCLOIDEA-like genes control floral symmetry, floral orientation, and nectar guide patterning " online, reporting on the latest progress in the study of flower shape, floral orientation, and flower color correlation.
In this study, Chirita pumila in the family of Gesneriaceae was taken as the model system and conducted related research on two CYC class genes, CpCYC1/2. This study was the first to report the important role of CYC class genes in the evolution of floral symmetry, floral orientation, and nectar conduction patterns in angiosperms.