Since Aristotle many scientists have considered plants robotic, rather than vital intelligent beings. Darwin did not subscribe to this view and published a book about intelligent plant movement where he called the root the plant’s brain. An excellent book summarizing the current data on plant intelligence, Plant Behavior and Intelligence, was written by Anthony Trewavas, emeritus professor at the University of Edinburgh. This book has a wealth of details related to intelligen

Completely separated from other plants, such that no chemicals signals can reach them, young chili plants still responded to a predator. Young chili plants can sense neighbors, even as seeds and small seedlings and respond by allocating energy differently to stems and roots. New research shows they sense these neighbors even without light and chemical signals from the soil or the air. Many plants, like chili, respond in competitive environments with faster growth when amon

Plants exhibit elaborate problem solving, planning, communication, and defense in relation to other plants and many different microbe and animal species. They are a lot smarter than most give them credit for. Recent research continues to show their extremely unusual complex behavior. This plant intelligence primer and update will summarize current research—a few exceptional findings then summaries of extraordinary communication and defense abilities. Plant Mathematical Abilit

Bacteria and viruses exhibit communication and almost endless creativity and variation. We have no real idea just how many species there are. Bacteria and viruses have dramatic effects on the ecology of every part of the earth. Because of this, they have been considered by some to be the dominant life form. An increasing amount of research is focusing on the impact of bacteria and viruses on every aspect of our lives. But, are we assuming their importance because of the curre