Understanding flower development: The flowers' secrets that are hidden

Understanding flower development: The flowers' secrets that are hidden

Flowers are three-dimensional complex beings that captivate us with their forms and hues. In a 3D environment, their complicated morphology and brilliant colors are supposed to attract pollinators and promote successful reproduction, yet they are frequently more easily recognized than pictures in 2D photos and artworks.

A team of scientists has constructed 3D models to better understand how flowers grow.

To comprehend flower growth, a team of Montreal-based researchers from McGill University, the University of Montreal, and the Montreal Botanical Garden employed photogrammetry, a technology commonly used to recreate terrain topography.

Photogrammetry was employed for the first time to analyze flowers, and the findings were published in the journal New Phytologist.

Photogrammetry makes use of data from images obtained from various viewpoints. It is feasible to recreate a 3D model of the bloom by triangulating the common spots in the photographs. Colors are given to the flowers in 3D based on the information in the images.

Photogrammetry, according to the researchers, can aid in the study of flower growth and ecology by offering quick access to three-dimensional morphological data. Databases of flowers, or even entire plants, might help scientists and the general public to ultimately identify the distinguishing features of previously unknown plant species.

"With images alone, it is impossible to appreciate the plant world's range of shapes and hues. That's why I became interested in using technical techniques to record floral shapes "says Daniel Schoen, a McGill University professor who developed the notion of using photogrammetry on flowers while researching at the Plant Biology Research Institute. 

"Understanding the evolution of flowers is crucial because flowers play a major role in plant diversification via species richness, which is necessary for plant biodiversity," explains Professor Schoen.

"The team has collaborated to create something that we feel will help us better understand how flowers adapt in response to pollinator interaction. We can see flowers from any aspect thanks to the 3D models."

Using shape and color to attract pollinators

Flowers are three-dimensional structures that are intricate and diverse. Understanding their form is essential for understanding their growth and evolution. 

In a three-dimensional habitat, up to 91% of blooming plants collaborate with pollinators to guarantee reproduction. Flowers' morphology and hues attract pollinators. According to the researchers, the 3D structure of flowers has received little attention until now.

According to the researchers, using photogrammetry offers significant benefits over other existing approaches, including X-ray microtomography, which is by far the most extensively used method for making 3D models of flowers.

"Photogrammetry is considerably more accessible since it is inexpensive, does not require special equipment, and can be used directly in nature," says Marion Leménager, PhD, principal author of the study and a biologist at the University of Montreal. 

"Additionally, photogrammetry has the benefit of being able to portray the colors of flowers, whereas radiography approaches cannot."

Although preliminary, the results persuaded Leménager to devote a chapter of his PhD dissertation to the issue. "The process isn't perfect yet," he admits. "Some portions of the blooms are still challenging to recreate in 3D, such as reflecting, translucent or highly hairy regions.

In quest of answers

"We have demonstrated that photogrammetry is at least as successful as more complex and expensive X-ray technologies for recognizing flower structures," says Simon Joly, a University of Montreal professor and the Botanical Garden's head of research. 

"Our research on plants in the group Gesneriaceae, such as the African violet, reveals that the 3D models made using this technology allow us to examine various issues concerning flower development, thanks to the Montreal Botanical Garden's living collections."

What is Flower?

Flower is a reproductive structure found in angiosperms. The term "flower" is commonly used when part or all of the reproductive mechanism is visible due to color and form.

Flowers provide a seemingly unlimited number of combinations in their spectrum of colors, sizes, forms, and anatomical configurations. 

Flowers differ in size from little to massive. Individual flowers in certain plants, such as poppies, magnolias, tulips, and petunias, are quite large and showy, but in others, such as asters, snapdragons, and lilacs, the individual blooms can be extremely little and are carried in a distinct raceme called an inflorescence. 

Regardless of their variation, all flowers have the same purpose: to reproduce the species by generating seeds.

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