Scientists from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Cornell University have discovered that a certain species of flower found in the western U.S. and Mexico appeared to evolve rapidly to adjust to megadrought conditions affecting its climate. This rapid evolution, known as "evolutionary rescue," could indicate that current models underestimate plant decline due to climate change. The study also revealed that three populations of monkeyflower found in western North America shared climate-related genetic markers needed for survival. However, the authors also cautioned that this rapid evolution may not be a reliable one for all plant species. The discovery may lead to a re-examination of how climate change can affect the decline of plant life in the face of climate change, and potentially help reduce the threat of rising temperatures.