Join us for an engaging biology seminar with Dr. Stacey D. Smith, Associate Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder, as she explores the evolutionary story behind flower color diversity. Dr. Smith’s talk, “Why Are Some Convergent Traits Rare and Others Common? Lessons From Flower Color Evolution”, will examine the biochemical pathways that produce floral coloration and how constraints within these pathways may influence which colors evolve frequently—and which do not—across the angiosperm tree of life. Dr. Smith will conclude by zooming out to highlight big, unanswered questions in plant color macroevolution, pointing toward exciting directions for future research.

Abstract
Flowers span every color across the spectrum, and each color has arisen many times across the angiosperm tree of life. Nevertheless, some colors are common while others remain rare. This talk will explore the biochemical basis for coloration and the ways in which the underlying pathways may shape the frequency and distribution of colors across the phylogeny. In closing, I will zoom out to the big unexplored questions in plant color macroevolution.