Plant communication… recent findings from science

For those of us who have spent a lot of time with plants, the fact that they can communicate is not new news, however, as I mentioned in a previous post on “new discoveries” in plant communication, I am happy to see that the historically rigid world of modern western science is opening itself up to this possibility, and publishing it’s findings. The article below also indirectly offers interesting insight for those interested in complex polycultures and companion planting, particular in the case of sweet fennel, the plant under scrutiny in this particular research endeavor.

Also, I should take this opportunity to recommend a fantastic book: The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Human Knowledge, by Jeremy Narby. It’s an important and paradigm shattering read focused on Western Amazonian ethnobotany and alternative methods of knowledge acquisition…

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“THEY can “smell” chemicals and respond to light, but can plants hear sounds? It seems chilli seeds can sense neighboring plants even if those neighbors are sealed in a box, suggesting plants have a hitherto-unrecognized sense.

Plants are known to have many of the senses we do: they can sense changes in light level, “smell” chemicals in the air and “taste” them in the soil (New Scientist, 26 September 1998, p 24). They even have a sense of touch that detects buffeting from strong winds.

The most controversial claim is that plants can hear, an idea that dates back to the 19th century. Since then a few studies have suggested that plants respond to sound, prompting somewhat spurious suggestions that talking to plants can help them grow.”

Read full article from New Scientist…