Adaptive Radiation in Plants

Adaptive radiation in plants refers to the process where a single ancestral species rapidly evolves into a variety of forms that adapt to different environments or ecological niches. This can occur when plants colonize new areas with distinct conditions, leading to the development of unique traits, such as various leaf shapes, flower structures, or methods of reproduction. For example, after a volcanic eruption, the surviving plants may evolve differently depending on factors like soil type and sunlight availability, resulting in diverse plant species tailored to their specific habitats over time.