Plants may seem like silent, stationary beings, but they’re actually constantly communicating with each other and their environment. From releasing chemical signals to sending electrical impulses, plants have developed fascinating ways to share information and respond to their surroundings. Get ready to have your mind blown by these 10 incredible ways plants communicate!
Plants Release Volatile Organic Compounds
When plants are attacked by insects or other herbivores, they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These chemical signals can travel through the air and warn neighboring plants of the threat, prompting them to ramp up their own defenses.
Plants Use Fungal Networks to Share Resources
Many plants form symbiotic relationships with fungi, creating vast underground networks called mycorrhizal networks. Through these connections, plants can share nutrients, water, and even chemical signals with each other, helping to support the entire ecosystem.
Plants Can Hear Themselves Being Eaten
Recent research has shown that plants can detect the sound of caterpillars chewing on their leaves. In response to these vibrations, plants release defensive chemicals to deter the herbivores and attract predators that will eat the caterpillars.
Plants Communicate Through Their Roots
Plants can send chemical signals through their roots to communicate with other plants and soil microbes. For example, some plants release compounds that attract beneficial bacteria to their roots, while others release toxins to deter competitors.
Plants Use Electrical Signals to Respond to Threats
When a plant is wounded or stressed, it generates an electrical impulse that travels through its tissues at speeds up to one inch per second. This rapid response helps the plant coordinate its defenses and allocate resources to the affected area.
Plants Can Recognize Their Kin
Some plants, such as sea rocket, can recognize their own kin and adjust their growth accordingly. When grown next to unrelated plants, sea rocket will allocate more resources to its roots to compete for nutrients. But when grown next to its siblings, it will invest more in its leaves and shoots.
Plants Use Mimicry to Attract Pollinators
Some plants have evolved to mimic the appearance or scent of other species in order to attract pollinators. For example, the hammer orchid has evolved to resemble the female wasp of a particular species, tricking male wasps into pollinating it as they attempt to mate with the flower.
Plants Can Sense and Respond to Touch
Many plants, such as the Venus flytrap and mimosa pudica, have evolved to respond to touch by rapidly closing their leaves or folding up their leaflets. These movements help the plants conserve water, protect themselves from damage, and even capture prey.
Plants Use Hydraulic Signals to Communicate
Plants can transmit signals through their vascular system using changes in water pressure. For example, when a tomato plant is infected with a virus, it will send a hydraulic signal to its healthy leaves, causing them to curl up and limit the spread of the infection.
Plants Communicate with Humans
While plants may not be able to talk to us directly, they do communicate with us in their own ways. From the vibrant colors of their flowers to the delicious scents of their fruits, plants have evolved to attract and engage with humans and other animals. By paying attention to these signals, we can deepen our appreciation for the incredible complexity and beauty of the plant world.
Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
