Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress)

Picture showing an Arabidopsis thaliana plant in soil, with green leaves and stems and small white flowers

Visitors will possibly recognise Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) as a pesky little weed that often pops up in pavement cracks. However, Arabidopsis is a remarkable plant in the world of plant science research. It is the most popular model organism used in plant biology around the world and was the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced. Its small genome, short life cycle, and ease of cultivation makes it an ideal tool for researchers, helping to unlock secrets that can be applied to crops and other plants.