Dr Błażej Ślązak from the Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) in Krakow and Martyna Rogala from the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, together with scientists from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Swedish University of Uppsala, examined endemic species of violets from the Canary Islands. The results of their research were published in Scientific Reports.
They studied species (Viola anagae, V. palmensis, V. cheiranthifolia and V. odorata) that occur on the islands in very different environments – from subtropical forests to the dry summit of the Teide volcano.
In particular, scientists searched cyclotides – chemicals produced by plants. They have insecticidal properties that help protect plants. Cyclotide mixtures depend on the species and the environment in which the plant grows.
The research conclusions show how plants may adapt their defense peptides to various environments and emphasize the role of cyclites as markers in chemosystematics, – informs the Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
