Plants seem to be still and lifeless, but they aren't - some plants can actually communicate with other plants!
While plant communication is different from animal communication, it still exists, so plants can share important information.
Here's how it works.
Chemical Chatter
Plants release chemicals into the air or soil. These chemicals carry messages that other nearby plants can sense.
Underground Chat
Through their roots, plants release substances into the soil. These substances can signal things like stress or danger to neighboring plants.
Scent Signals
Some plants release scents when they're being attacked by insects. Nearby plants can "smell" these scents and prepare themselves for potential danger.
Friend or Foe Alerts
When a plant is being eaten by an herbivore, it can release chemicals that attract predators of those herbivores. It's like calling for help!
Sharing Resources
In a group of plants, if one is getting more sunlight or nutrients, it can send messages to others to share the wealth. They help each other out.
Growing Pains
If a plant is stressed, for example, by lack of water, it can release chemicals that warn nearby plants.
These plants might then adjust their own water use.
Fungal Friends
Plants can form partnerships with fungi in the soil.
They exchange nutrients and information through these fungi, creating a sort of underground internet for plants.
Light Language
Plants can even communicate through changes in light.
They might lean or grow towards a light source, showing a type of communication to get more sunlight.
