Researchers believe they have discovered a plant species that demonstrates “intelligent” capabilities and can problem-solve.
We rarely think about plants as being “intelligent”, but could they really be clever?
Despite this, experts at Cornell University have found that the tall goldenrod plant “possesses intelligence,” despite lacking a brain or central nervous system.
The specialists stated that they think the tall goldenrod responds to challenges through a type of memory incorporated into its decision-making.
There are over 70 definitions of intelligence that have been published, and there’s no consensus even within the same field as to what it exactly is.
In the study by Kessler and his co-author, Michael Mueller, a doctoral student, they defined intelligence as, “the ability to solve problems, based on the information you get from the environment, in order to reach a specific goal.”
According to them, this definition implies that the tall goldenrod plant is “intelligent,” as lab tests have shown that it can “hear” screams from neighboring plants that are under attack and then activate a defense system to protect itself from potential threats.
The behavior adjustment would meet our definition of intelligence,” Kessler said. “The plant adjusts its standard behavior based on information it receives from its environment.
When attacked by leaf beetles, tall goldenrod plants send out chemical signals that warn the beetles that the plant is damaged and not a suitable food source.
In addition, they can change how light reflects off their leaves, a signal which can be read by nearby goldenrods to indicate danger. In response to this warning, nearby goldenrods put more energy into growing faster and into producing chemicals that repel insects.
for our free weekly newsletter
The ‘s free WhatsApp channel
is the sister title of The Independent, bringing you the stories you want to read in the order you want to read them. Made with a specific focus on Gen Z and young Millennials, it’s fun, fresh, and captures the mood, and offers the untold perspective on the big global stories in areas like news, viral trends, politics, celebrities, sports, science, technology, and identities. It never gets dull, and is fiercely progressive, believing in equality above all.
