Science: 'Intelligent' plant species found

Scientists believe this plant is intelligent and can 'solve problems'

Scientists think they have found a plant species that is “intelligent” and can solve problems.

While plenty is known about human intelligence, with untold numbers of quizzes claiming to test how clever we are, we rarely think about plants as being “intelligent.”

• The world’s oldest tree predates ancient Egypt [if Egypt were only as old as the gatekeepers say]
• Tree taller than the Statue of Liberty discovered in the world's deepest canyon (MSN)
• The Independent: The world’s smelliest plant blooms at Kew Gardens

Despite this, experts at Cornell University have determined that the tall goldenrod plant is “intelligent,” all while having no [apparent] brain or central nervous system [but just tapping into a Source of intelligence, a collective consciousness, the way a transistor radio taps into a radio station transmitter, antenna to antenna].

• What about short goldenrod? Yes, the whole species
• Plants are intelligent, here’s how | Annals of Botany | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

In a recent paper, the experts explained that they believe the tall goldenrod reacts to problems by using a kind of memory in its decision-making.

Plant spirits or dryads (woodland devas) live in trees rather than being the trees.

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Professor Andre Kessler in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornel said in a statement:

If only there were a way to measure intelligence.

• “There are more than 70 definitions that are published for 'intelligence,' and there is no agreement on what it is, even within a given field.”

But in the study by Prof. Kessler and co-author Michael Mueller, a doctoral student, they defined intelligence as, “the ability to solve problems, based on the information that you get from the environment, toward a particular goal.”

And it is this definition that they believe suggests the tall goldenrod is “intelligent,” as lab tests suggested that the plant can “hear” screams of neighboring plants under attack and launch a defense system to protect itself from attack.

“This would fit our definition of intelligence,” Prof. Kessler said. “Depending on the information it receives from the environment, the plant changes its standard behavior.”

When it is being eaten by leaf beetles, the tall goldenrod plant emits chemical signals that communicate with beetles to tell them the plant is damaged and therefore not a good source of food.

In addition, it can alter the way light reflects off its leaves, which can be read by other goldenrods nearby to signify danger.

Responding to the warning, neighboring goldenrods put more energy into growing faster and to producing insect-repelling chemicals. More + VIDEO

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• Ellie Abraham, Indy 100 via MSN, July 13, 2024; Dhr. Seven, Kelly Ani (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly