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You know that smell of fresh cut grass?
It’s created as a chemical distress call to alert neighbouring plants to prepare for imminent herbivore attack.
It’s the smell of plant fear...
It’s created as a chemical distress call to alert neighbouring plants to prepare for imminent herbivore attack.
It’s the smell of plant fear...
What are plants meant to do with this info?
Well, lots of things. They can switch on the hormones that activate defence systems. Shut down leaf growth, directing energies to safe underground storage organs. They can make their leaves tougher, sharper and more bitter & toxic.
Well, lots of things. They can switch on the hormones that activate defence systems. Shut down leaf growth, directing energies to safe underground storage organs. They can make their leaves tougher, sharper and more bitter & toxic.
That SAME chemical warning can also act as an irresistible lure for the predatory insects that prey on the pests that trouble plants.
An invisible interspecies smoke signal to call in the cavalry...
An invisible interspecies smoke signal to call in the cavalry...
So next time you think plants don’t *do* anything, consider this:
Plants are constantly collecting & processing info from the world around them, using this to modify their complex behaviour.
They are constantly sharing this with other species too.
They just aren’t telling you.
Plants are constantly collecting & processing info from the world around them, using this to modify their complex behaviour.
They are constantly sharing this with other species too.
They just aren’t telling you.
