Plants Communicate

Scientists have discovered recently that plants communicate in several surprising ways. One of those methods involves the release of volatile chemicals that signal to other plants and to other parts of the same plant that danger is near. It might be an herbivore or pest chomping on its leaves or a human pulling plants up by the roots. An Australian scientist became curious to find out if plants create any sounds that might be part of that communication system and she found that the roots of corn plants emit a clicking noise to talk to its fellow corn plants.

The Public Broadcasting System aired a fascinating, hour-long program called "What Plants Talk About" that contains plenty of more information about plant communication with some stunning visuals. You can watch the whole thing here:

 

Watch What Plants Talk About on PBS. See more from Nature.