When considering the most intelligent organisms on Earth, what comes to mind? Human beings are likely at the top of your list. You may also think of animals like dolphins, chimpanzees, and elephants.
Plants are probably not what you think of. After all, you probably haven’t had many interesting conversations with a head of lettuce or a stalk of celery. However, plants are capable of some remarkable feats.
Plants have the ability to sense when it is time to sprout out of the ground. Some plants even have the ability to hunt and trap insects. Do plants have brains? Can they think? Or is there something else at play here?
Plants do not possess brains like humans do. They also cannot think like humans. However, they do have highly complex mechanisms that enable them to perform incredible tasks.
Although plants lack brains, they can actually tell time! Plants have genes that are sensitive to time, allowing them to regulate their growth accordingly.
For example, after a certain number of cold days have passed, these genes stop inhibiting growth and initiate new growth. Similar mechanisms enable plants to know when to shed their leaves and seeds, as well as when to open and close their petals on a daily basis.
Carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap can lie in wait and quickly snap shut to trap insects, and sometimes even frogs. However, they do not rely on brains to accomplish this complex task.
Instead, they have finely-tuned hairs that are triggered by their prey. When triggered, internal mechanisms cause the unique leaves of the Venus flytrap to rapidly close and capture their prey.
This mechanism is so advanced that it requires two different hairs to be touched within 20 seconds of each other in order to trigger the process. This prevents accidental activation when there is no actual prey present.
If these examples weren’t impressive enough, Polish plant biologists have recently published research claiming that plants can remember information and respond to it. They believe that plants may have an internal communication system that functions similarly to an animal’s central nervous system.
Researchers argue that their studies demonstrate that plants can retain information about light exposure, for instance, and transmit that information to other parts of the plant when appropriate.
Although much more research is needed to fully understand plant intelligence, it seems that plants possess highly complex systems that, while not equivalent to human thought, allow for intriguing plant behaviors that may have previously gone unnoticed.
Give It a Try
We encourage you to delve further into the world of plants! Ask a friend or family member to assist you in exploring the following activities:
- Picture yourself as a farmer or a florist. You interact with plants every day. You are aware that they lack a brain and cannot think. However, what if plants could think? How would life be different? What would plants and flowers say to you if they could communicate? Imagine a conversation between a plant and a farmer or a flower and a florist. Write it down and share it with a friend or family member. Let your imagination run wild. Utilize your brain to create an intriguing dialogue with a plant or flower!
- Were you aware that the Venus flytrap is not the only carnivorous plant? Visit the Carnivorous Plants website of the Botanical Society of America to explore and learn more about a wide range of other carnivorous plants. Could any of them be found near your location?
- Interested in seeing a Venus flytrap in action? Go online and watch Discovery’s video titled “Venus Flytrap Catches Flies.” Isn’t it incredible? How would you feel if you were a fly? Can you imagine being ensnared by a seemingly lifeless plant?
Sources of Wonder
- http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-09/new-research-plant-intelligence-may-forever-change-how-you-think-about-plants
- http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/study-unveils-plant-nervous-system-illuminating-how-plants-remember-and-react
- https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/390354/how-do-trees-know-when-its-spring/
- http://botany.org/bsa/misc/carn.html
FAQ
1. Do plants have thoughts?
Plants don’t possess a brain or a nervous system like animals, so they don’t have thoughts in the way we understand them. However, plants do have a complex system of chemical and electrical signals that allow them to respond to their environment. They can sense and react to changes in light, temperature, and touch. While they don’t have consciousness or cognitive abilities like humans, plants have evolved incredible adaptations to survive and thrive in their surroundings.
2. Can plants communicate with each other?
Yes, plants have the ability to communicate with each other. They can release chemical signals into the air or through their roots to alert nearby plants of potential threats, such as herbivores or diseases. This communication is crucial for their survival and helps them coordinate defense mechanisms. For example, when one plant is attacked by insects, it can release volatile compounds that warn neighboring plants to prepare their own defenses. It’s a fascinating form of communication that allows plants to support and protect each other.
3. Do plants feel pain?
Plants don’t have a central nervous system, so they don’t experience pain in the same way animals do. They lack the specialized receptors and brain structures necessary for processing pain signals. However, plants do have mechanisms to respond to potential damage. When a plant is injured, it releases chemical signals that trigger defense responses, such as producing toxins or strengthening cell walls. While they may not feel pain, plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to protect themselves from harm.
4. Can plants learn or remember things?
Plants are capable of learning and remembering certain things, although their learning abilities are different from those of animals. They can adjust their growth and behavior based on past experiences. For example, plants can learn to associate certain stimuli with positive or negative outcomes and modify their responses accordingly. They can also remember information about their environment, such as the timing of seasonal changes or the presence of certain predators. These learning and memory processes are essential for plants to adapt to their surroundings and optimize their chances of survival.
5. Do plants have consciousness?
Plants lack the complex nervous system and brain structures associated with consciousness in animals. They don’t have self-awareness or subjective experiences. However, recent research suggests that plants may have a form of “primitive consciousness” that allows them to perceive and respond to their environment. They can sense and integrate information from their surroundings, making decisions and exhibiting complex behaviors. While it’s not the same as human consciousness, it highlights the remarkable abilities of plants to interact with and adapt to the world around them.
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