Plays a role in the regulation of flowering time in the autonomous flowering pathway by decreasing FLOWERING LOCUS C mRNA levels. Required for RNA-mediated chromatin silencing of a range of loci in the genome. Cotranscriptionally recognizes aberrant RNA and marks it for silencing. Controls alternative cleavage and polyadenylation on pre-mRNAs and antisense RNAs. Acts redundantly with FCA to prevent the expression of distally polyadenylated antisense RNAs at the FLC locus. Expressed in roots, leaves, stems and flowers. Highest expression in flower stems and meristematic regions. Expressed throughout the plant life cycle. Negative feedback mediated by FPA itself. Late flowering. While FCA requires both FY and FLD, FPA requires FLD but not FY to repress FLC. Belongs to the RRM Spen family.