Scientists from Italy have unearthed certain mysteries of the cognitive abilities of plants which involve complex mechanism of cognition in plants.
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There have always been the mystery surrounding about plants whether they can converse, experience pain or have feelings. Mystery always have surrounded these amazing questions and have even made scientists curiously look for answers.
With a recent study of the very idea that plants are smart enough to recognize their relatives seems to be bizarre but according to researchers, plants not only can recognize their relatives, they can even make decisions and count too. According to scientists, they can learn in a certain way although they don’t have brains similar to human beings or animals.
Prof Umberto Castiello, who briefed the media said, ”though the very idea of plants behavior with cognition may baffle the public, it is amazing given the complexity of the responses discovered in plants.”
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Citing certain examples, Prof Castiello said ”many studies show their cognitive abilities. The Venus Flytrap can count the steps of its prey.” According to scientists who observed the plant, it trapped the prey only when triggered within 20 seconds. Meaning that the plant can only remember the signal for a short period of time. Also the plant need to count the steps of its prey is to avoid wasting the energy responding to countless raindrops and windblown particles.
Another experiment demonstrated how a plant can have memory. The flowering plant, Mimosa Pudica can remember being dropped. The plant was dropped from a certain height for 60 times and by the end of the experiment, it no longer folded its leaves in a defensive manner remembering that being dropped from a certain height would not hurt it. According to Prof Castiello, this acquisition last for over a month which means that the plants can possess long term memory.
Amazingly, shrubs can recognize their relatives when placed next to the identical ones by releasing more chemicals which in turn can help them save from predators. Prof Castiello concludes stating that the question not to be asked whether plants are cognitive organisms but to inquest how they make use of cognitive capabilities.
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