Mistletoe Mysteries: From Parasite to Holiday Icon

Mistletoe, a plant that has become synonymous with holiday cheer, is also a fascinating organism from a scientific and biological perspective. Scientifically, mistletoe refers to a group of parasitic plants that grow on the branches or trunks of trees. Unlike…

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Genetics of Four Leaf Clovers

Move over Mendel’s peas, there’s a new plant in town (at least for St. Patrick's Day). Trifolium repens, or white clover, is a widely cultivated member of the bean family. Originally native to Europe and parts of Central Asia, it…