We Just Learned Plants Under Attack Evolve a Universal 'Scream' to Warn Others

[Judi Lynn]

MICHELLE STARR 4 OCT 2019

They may not have the muscles and reflexes of the animal kingdom, but that doesn't mean plants just passively sit around when something starts chewing them up.

We know damage triggers a signal that spreads through the plant, mounting its defensive response. And we know part of that response is the release of smelly volatile organic compounds.

Now new research has shed new light on what those compounds do. They signal to other plants nearby that a threat is imminent, allowing them to go on the defensive too. In other words, they're effectively a smelly warning cry.

In fact, this new study on Canada goldenrod (Solidago altissima) even found that the chemical compounds released are more similar in plants with a history of being attacked, whether or not they're related.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/plants-scream-to-each-other-in-smells-when-they-re-under-attack

[Cartoonist]

1. Hey vegans

How does that make you feel? Why is it ok to eat plants that have their own lives just as valid as animals?

[safeinOhio]

3. People tend to anthropomorphize, plants and animals.

an·thro·po·mor·phize
/ˌanTHrəpəˈmôrˌfīz/
Learn to pronounce
verb
attribute human characteristics or behavior to (a god, animal, or object).
"people's tendency to anthropomorphize their dogs"

Our culture gets upset with those in the East that eat dog meat, but then ignore cultures that are equally repelled by eating cows.

[PJMcK]

4. Life imitates Art imitates Life, etc.

M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed the film, "The Happening," in 2008. It's the fictional story of how plant life fights back against humans' destruction of the Earth.

In the story, plants are able to release chemicals that cause humans to commit suicide. It's a frightening cautionary tale and very scary!

[d_r]

5. Another reason

Not to mow my yard

[Bluepinky]

6. Ha ha, good one! Or trim your shrubs.

[qazplm135]

8. it was as if a million tiny blades of grass cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.

Lad Iglis
Vegan Jedi

[thecrow]

7. Carrot juice is murder!

https://thenotoriousfluffycat.tumblr.com/post/27114552409/my-argument-against-vegetarians

Starts slow but well worth the wait!