Background Flower coloration is a key enabler for pollinator attraction. Floral visual signals
comprise several components that are generated by specific anatomical structures and …

The outer layers of a range of plant tissues, including flower petals, leaves and fruits, exhibit
an intriguing variation of microscopic structures. Some of these structures include ordered …

Diverse forms of nanoscale architecture generate structural colour and perform signalling
functions within and between species. Structural colour is the result of the interference of …

Shear transparent cellulose free‐standing thin films can develop iridescence similar to that
found in petals of the tulip “Queen of the Night.” The iridescence of the film arises from the …

Living organisms can use minute structures to manipulate the reflection of light and display
colours based on interference. There has been debate in recent literature over whether the …

Biopolymer-based composites enable to combine different functionalities using renewable
materials and cost-effective routes. Here we fabricate novel thermoresponsive photonic films …

Petals are typified by their conical epidermal cells that play a predominant role for the
attraction and interaction with pollinators. However, cell identities in the petal can be very …

The color of natural objects depends on how they are structured and pigmented. In flowers,
both the surface structure of the petals and the pigments they contain determine coloration …

Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.) flowers are exceptional because they feature a distinct gloss
(mirror-like reflection) in addition to their matte-yellow coloration. We investigated the optical …

Structural color is poorly known in plants relative to animals. In fruits, only a handful of cases
have been described, including in Viburnum tinus where the blue color results from a …