Heavy metal hyperaccumulating plants: How and why do they do it? And what makes them so interesting?

▶ Hyperaccumulators concentrate heavy metals in leaves. ▶ Constitutive overexpressed genes are involved in heavy metal hyperaccumulation. ▶ Heavy metal hyperaccumulation can act as a defence mechanism from enemies. ▶ Hyperaccumulator traits may be exploited for phytoremediation and/or phytomining.