Plant Cuttings

Month: February 2026

  • The essentials of plant biology

    The essentials of plant biology

    Essential Plant Biology by Alison Smith et al. offers a comprehensive overview of modern plant biology, emphasizing molecular genetics and biochemistry, crucial for understanding plant function today. Divided into six parts, the book covers topics from plant evolution to environmental interactions, targeting undergraduates with a foundation in molecular biology.

  • Setting scicomm standards (Part 2)

    Setting scicomm standards (Part 2)

    The post critiques the usage of “et al.” in science communication, particularly in a Phys.Org article discussing plant research. It emphasises the importance of following established standards for clarity and credibility in scientific writing, advocating for italicised and punctuated usage of “et al.” to maintain integrity in the communication of…

  • Setting scicomm standards (Part 1)

    Setting scicomm standards (Part 1)

    The post addresses the incorrect presentation of scientific names in science communication, specifically criticising Phys.Org for failing to italicise the name “Picea abies.” This oversight is seen as detrimental to effective science writing. Mr P Cuttings emphasises the importance of adhering to proper conventions to enhance public understanding of science.