Transcription activator that acts as a flowering master switch in both long and short days, independently of the circadian clock (PubMed:18790997, PubMed:18725639, PubMed:18774969, PubMed:19304997, PubMed:24280027). Promotes flowering upstream of HD1 by up-regulating FTL1, FTL4, FTL5, FTL6, EHD1, HD3A and RFT1 (PubMed:18790997, PubMed:18725639, PubMed:18774969). Seems to repress FTL11 expression (PubMed:18725639). May recognize the consensus motif 5'-TTTGTCGTAAT-3' in target gene promoters (PubMed:18725639). Mostly expressed in developing leaves (more in sheaths than in blades, especially in the outer epidermal cell of immature leaves and in the region immediately beneath the meristem where internodes are visible) and panicles, and, at very low levels, around the shoot apex and in roots. Detected in young expanded leaves emerging from the culms (PubMed:18774969). In young panicles, accumulates in spikelets and panicle branches (PubMed:18774969). Under short days (SD), observed in leaves by 1 week after germination and reaches a peak by 2 weeks. Subsequently, the level gradually decreases, but maintains at low levels even after flowering (about 9 weeks) (PubMed:18790997). Under long days (LD), present in leaves at low levels during all developmental stages from at least 1 week after germination (PubMed:18790997). Induced by FKF1 (PubMed:25850808). Down-regulated by DLF1 (PubMed:25036785). During the basic vegetative growth phase (BVP, photoperiod-insensitive phase), suppressed via phytochrome-mediated light signals involving the phytochromobilin synthase HY2 (PubMed:25573482). Never-flowering phenotype in the rid1 mutant (PubMed:18725639). Extremely delayed flowering under both short- (SD) and long-day (LD) conditions, associated with reduced EHD1, HD3A and RFT1 levels, but increased leaves and nodes production (PubMed:18790997, PubMed:18725639, PubMed:18774969). Levels of FTL1 and FTL4 are slightly reduced under both LD and SD, expression of FTL5 is down-regulated under LD, whereas FTL6 is down-regulated only under SD (PubMed:18725639). In contrast, the accumulation of FTL11 is slightly higher under both SD and LD (PubMed:18725639). Reduced levels of MADS1, MADS14 and MADS15, downstream genes of EHD1 (PubMed:18774969). Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus.