Thale cress is the most important model plant for geneticists. The large specimens of the plant on the photo have developed normally, the small ones have not – they are missing a gene that protects a part of their stem cells from differentiating into specialized cell types. Photo: Kunz Thale cress is the most important model plant for geneticists. The large specimens of the plant on the photo have developed normally, the small ones have not – they are missing a gene that protects a part of their stem cells from differentiating into specialized cell types. Photo: Kunz 32