Duckweed Evolution: from Land back to Water.

ABSTRACT: Terrestrialization is an important evolutionary process that plants experienced. However, little is known about how land plants acquired aquatic growth behaviors. Here, we integrate multiproxy evidence to elucidate the evolution of the aquatic plant duckweed. Three genera of duckweeds show chronologically gradual degeneration in root structure and stomatal function and a decrease in lignocellulose content, accompanied by the contraction of relevant gene families and/or a decline in their transcription levels. The number of genes in main phytohormone pathways is also gradually decreased. The coordinated action of genes involved in auxin signaling and rhizoid development causes a gradual decrease in adventitious roots. Additionally, the significant expansion of the flavonoid pathway is relat

SUBMITTER: Fang 方扬 Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12707978 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature