GabyA new discovery has stirred quite a buzz in the scientific community. Many researchers have been skeptical about attributing intellectual properties to plants. However, a team from Cornell University in the U.S. is convinced that when it comes to Solidago altissima, commonly known as tall goldenrod, we are indeed talking about certain signs of intelligence or a form of it. This species of goldenrod grows in North America, Europe, and Asia, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Professor Andre Kessler, the lead author of the study, examined goldenrod alongside graduate student Michael Müller. Together, they concluded that this delicate plant, adorned with numerous yellow flowers, is capable of problem-solving. For instance, when insects munch on goldenrod, it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, thereby warning neighboring plants of danger.
Perhaps it’s time to rethink our definition of intelligence. Science typically defines intelligence as the presence of a central nervous system, where electrical signals transmit messages to other nerves for processing information. In contrast, plants have a vascular system, which is a network of cells that transports water, minerals, and nutrients, aiding their growth. The authors of this new research are urging the scientific community to redefine intelligence to include the ability to solve problems as a key characteristic.
Professor Kessler noted, “There are over 70 published definitions of intelligence, and there is no consensus on what it actually is.” During the study, VOCs were also detected in neighboring goldenrods, which in turn developed the same defensive mechanism to avoid being eaten. “This aligns with our understanding of intelligence. Depending on the information a plant receives from its environment, it alters its standard behavior,” Professor Kessler stated.
In 2021, the team conducted experiments showing that goldenrods can also exhibit higher coefficients of far-red light, or daylight reflected from the leaves of neighboring plants. (Far-red light influences plant growth.) When plants sense that a neighboring goldenrod has been consumed, they adapt by growing faster and producing more protective chemicals. Furthermore, it was found that plants can “smell” the chemical that signals the presence of a pest.
“They can use environmental signals to anticipate future situations and then act accordingly,” emphasized Professor Kessler. According to him, applying the concept of intelligence to members of the flora could inspire new hypotheses about the mechanisms and functions of plant chemical communication, as well as change people’s perceptions of what intelligence truly means.
Previous studies have shown that plants emit high-frequency distress signals when they experience environmental stress, such as when their leaves and stems are damaged.
