Tag: plant biology
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Clever things that plants do: No. 4, Divide and conquer…
This post explores the notion of plant intelligence by highlighting an example of how plants use arithmetic division to manage starch degradation overnight, ensuring energy sufficiency until dawn. Research shows that the process is regulated by circadian rhythms, allowing plants to adapt their starch consumption based on light duration.
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Spotlight on trees
Harriet Rix’s “The Genius of Trees” explores the intricate relationship between trees and their environment, detailing their ecological roles and interactions. While Rix’s enthusiasm creates a captivating narrative, the book lacks adequate sourcing for many claims and contains scientific inaccuracies. Despite these flaws, it offers valuable insights into the importance…
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Clever things that plants do: No. 3, Leaf mimicry
The post discusses the remarkable leaf-mimicking behaviour of Boquila trifoliata. Chameleon vine is a climbing plant that alters the appearance of its leaves to resemble those of nearby species (possibly to avoid herbivores). Host plant volatiles, horizontal gene transfer, and even ‘plant eyes’ [ocelli] have been proposed to explain this…
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Clever things that plants do: No. 2, Carnivory you can count on…
This post explores the Venus flytrap’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour by counting prey interactions. It highlights the plant’s unique mechanism for trapping insects, requiring multiple sensory hair stimulations for digestive enzyme production. This ability demonstrates both the plant’s arithmetic skills and its adaptation to nutrient-poor environments, showcasing its carnivorous…
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Reading nature’s medicine cabinet
Nature’s Apothecary by Margaret Willes explores the historical roles of apothecaries and the medicinal value of 100 plants, with emphasis upon British herbal traditions. The well-crafted text is full of fascinating insights and illustrations, though it lacks comprehensive sourcing for some claims. Overall, it is an enriching resource on herbalism.
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Dead men’s shoes don’t walk, but they do talk…
Macarena Bustamante-Álvarez et al., uncovered ancient sandals made from esparto grass at an Iron Age mining site in Spain, dating back 2,400 years. The footwear exhibits skilled craftsmanship with precise design, demonstrating the significance of plant fibres in ancient economies. Unique preservation conditions allowed these artifacts’ survival. [But! there’s so…
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Flowers: Planet- and people-producers
David George Haskell’s “How Flowers Made Our World” explores the vital role of flowers and flowering plants in shaping Earth’s ecosystems and human connections. Comprising scientific insights, Haskell’s engaging narrative highlights plant biology, ecology, and the historical interrelation between flora and humanity, making an overwhelming case for their importance in,…
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The original illuminati?*
This post’s main focus is the study by Arobba et al. that investigates how five hunter-gatherers in Italy used small pine twigs for lighting caves over 14,000 years ago. This research combines analysis of ancient remnants and experimental archaeology, showing that the twigs provided sufficient light for navigation, enhancing our…
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Chapter 7a Plants and the agricultural imperative
Rice, a vital food staple, supports half of the global population and illustrates the integral role of agriculture in human survival and civilisation. While agriculture fosters artistic development, reliance on a few crops raises concerns about food security. Challenges include disease risks and environmental sustainability, emphasising the need for diverse…
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Chapter 6 The intelligent plant(?)
This chapter explores the controversial concept of plant intelligence, examining how plants utilise other organisms for vital processes like pollination. It discusses debates surrounding definitions of intelligence and the potential for plants to influence human behaviour. ‘Plant neurobiology’ is discussed, in the hope of prompting reevaluation of plant capabilities and…
