Re: Plants The sixth sense
- Subject: Re: Plants The sixth sense
- From: S*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 21:56:18 -0600 (CST)
In a message dated Thu, 31 Jan 2002 12:18:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, "brian williams" <pugturd50@hotmail.com> writes:
> Well, I have been around plants my whole life and have been paying a lot
> of attention to how they grow. I am sure some of you have theories on this
> sixth sense they seem to have.
"Sixth" sense? So what are a plant's other 5 senses?
> The plant monstera deliciosa I have planted in a large pot with a totem.
> Well, I decided to fertilize the two plants beside it for no real reason
> some slow release fertilize. after about 3 to 4 weeks monstera had shoot two
> roots in to both pots directly on to the fertilize. Now how the heck did it
> know it was there?
>
Probably chemical particles in the air. Plant roots are designed to seek out nutrient particles in the soil, so detecting similar particles in the air is but a small step.
> I have noticed root go all across the floor to get to water as well as roots
> reaching out to grab wall that are a foot away. The seem no to be growing
> blindly as some would think. Any one know where there eyes are?
>
Chloroplasts. How else would plants "know" which way to turn toward the sun? Seeking darkness is common in the seedling stages of many climbing aroids.
> Not to mention orchids and other plants impersonating other creatures in
> order to have them pollinate there flowers. A lot say evolution with the
> plant and insects that's hard for me to buy. Any ways how did the plant find
> out what the insect looked like and its colors?
It didn't have to, any more than a lichen-mimic moth needs to know it looks like lichen. In the case of the moth, start with a population of variously-colored moths who instinctively rest on lichen-covered tree trunks; then, those who happen to look most like lichens would be the survivors. In the case of the plant, the same general principle operates.
>
Jason Hernandez
Naturalist-at-Large
