biostudies-literatureYan ZNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaPostgraduate Research and Innovation Foundation of Yunnan UniversityPostgraduate Research and Innovation Foundation ofNational Key Research and Development Program of China437-450https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11897597biostudies-literatureUnknown135(3)<h4>Background and aims</h4>Invasive species usually demonstrate remarkable adaptability across diverse environments, successfully inhabiting a wide variety of regions. This adaptability often links to genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity, leading to latitudinal trends in phenotypic traits. In this study, we collected seeds of the invasive plant Phytolacca americana from different latitudes and planted them in homogeneous gardens to investigate the latitudinal variation of P. americana phenotypic traits and to evaluate the effects of herbivory and heavy metals on plant growth, defence and reproductive characteristics.<h4>Methods</h4>Phytolacca americana seeds from different latitudes were planted in a homogeneous garden. For the experimental treatment, the seeds were divided iAnnals of botanyLatitudinal trends in an invasive plant: genetic differentiation, phenotypic plasticity, and the effects of heavy metals and herbivores on growth, defence and reproductive characteristics.PMC118975972022YFC2601100KC-22221423U21022182023YFC260450032371751Lai YLiu YLi YYan ZLi BZhou YWang YfalseLatitudinal trends in an invasive plant: genetic differentiation, phenotypic plasticity, and the effects of heavy metals and herbivores on growth, defence and reproductive characteristics.<h4>Background and aims</h4>Invasive species usually demonstrate remarkable adaptability across diverse environments, successfully inhabiting a wide variety of regions. This adaptability often links to genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity, leading to latitudinal trends in phenotypic traits. In this study, we collected seeds of the invasive plant Phytolacca americana from different latitudes and planted them in homogeneous gardens to investigate the latitudinal variation of P. americana phenotypic traits and to evaluate the effects of herbivory and heavy metals on plant growth, defence and reproductive characteristics.<h4>Methods</h4>Phytolacca americana seeds from different latitudes were planted in a homogeneous garden. For the experimental treatment, the seeds were divided i2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2026-06-03T11:24:43.735Z2026-04-27T03:10:26.241ZS-EPMC118975973930188110.1093/aob/mcae171