Abstract

Simple SummaryCorolla movement is a common adaptive behavior in flowering plants, and it helps plants improve pollination efficiency and adapt to changing environments, yet the molecular mechanisms controlling this process are still poorly understood. This dynamic floral trait is directly related to plant reproductive success, and exploring its regulatory basis can provide valuable clues about how plants adapt to their surroundings. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis ofMirabilis jalapa(Nyctaginaceae) corollas at five distinct movement stages to uncover the underlying regulatory networks. We found that genes with changed expression levels were mainly involved in basic cellular processes, catalytic reactions, and key pathways related to cell signaling, hormone regulation, and photosynthesis. We identified auxin, ethylene, and abscisic acid—key plant hormones that regulate growth—as core regulators of corolla movement. Notably, genes related to calcium transport and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were highly enriched, indicating that calcium–ROS signaling drives the cell expansion and pressure changes that power corolla movement. We also found that WRKY family transcription factors, which control gene activity, were upregulated and likely act as key links between upstream signals and downstream responses. The reliability of our data was verified by RT-qPCR, and these findings fill a major knowledge gap, offering new insights into the molecular basis of plant movement and supporting future research on plant adaptive evolution.Corolla movement is a typical plant movement behavior that enables plants to optimize pollination and adapt to environmental changes. Nevertheless, its molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study, we conduct a comprehensive transcriptome analysis ofMirabilis jalapa(Nyctaginaceae) corol