PCT No. PCT/GB95/02561 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 20, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 20, 1997 PCT Filed Nov. 1, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/14414 PCT Pub. Date May 17, 1996The CONSTANS (CO) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana and homologues from Brassica napus are provided and are useful for influencing flowering characteristics in transgenic plants, especially the timing of flowering.