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Duckweed on end of pencil. (University of Nottingham via SWNS)<\/p>\n
By Talker<\/p>\n
By Stephen Beech<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s smallest flowering plant would be an \u201cideal\u201d food crop for future space missions<\/a>, according to new research.<\/p>\n Duckweeds measure just a few millimeters across, but scientists say they could feed astronauts<\/a> exploring deep space \u2014 as well as providing a potential source of food and protein on Earth.<\/p>\n Researchers at the University of Nottingham<\/a> conducted gene expression analysis and cutting-edge microscopy on duckweeds.<\/p>\n Their findings, published in the journal Current Biology<\/a>, show that they retain the same basic building blocks found in the shoots of larger plants.<\/p>\n But those structures have been \u201cdramatically compressed\u201d and fused together.<\/p>\n (Photo by Samiran Biswas via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n Study leader Anthony Bishopp says miniaturization is a \u201cremarkable phenomenon\u201d found throughout the natural world, from tiny animals to miniature plants.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cDuckweeds are extraordinary flowering plants that can measure just a few millimeters across, yet their relatives include some of the largest herbaceous plants.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were interested to find out how a complete plant body plan can be packed into such a tiny space.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile miniaturization in animals is often associated with the loss of organs or body structures, we have revealed that duckweeds have taken a different route.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat surprised us is that, when we looked closely, the basic organization of the shoot was still there.<\/p>\n \u201cRather than throwing away parts of the blueprint, duckweed appears to have compressed and fused its components into an incredibly compact plant.<\/p>\n (Photo by Petr Ganaj via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n \u201cThat gives us a new way of thinking about how plants can evolve<\/a> to become so small.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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