Arabidopsis thaliana, common name thale cress or mouse ear cress, has revolutionized research in basic plant biology over the last 30 years. The number of research papers on this species grew from just a trickle before 1970 to more than 2000 in the year 2000. Arabidopsis research has impacted many other areas of research in molecular biology, cellular biology, pathogenesis, flower development, hormone physiology, gene regulation, population genetics and ecology. While Arabidopsis does not serve as a food source, results from research on the plant can be applied to other plants.

A member of the mustard family or Brassicaceae, Arabidopsis occurs globally in the northern hemisphere, generally in cold to moderate climates. Hundreds of ecotypes or strains have been collected from Asia, Europe, north Africa and north America. The most commonly used ecotypes are Columbia, Landsberg and Wf, sometimes in the erecta(ital) form with a dwarf, stocky appearance. Arabidopsis...