The Latest on What Plants Are Saying

Psalm 33:20
“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.”

In past Creation Moments we have told how certain plants release aromatics known as pheromones when attacked. By this means they communicate to others of its species or even to animals. These discoveries led more researchers to enter this field, and a great deal is now known about what can only be called plant communication.

Researchers report that this plant communication is more widespread than thought. In fact, they suspect that it is almost universal among plants. What’s more, plants not only communicate with their own species, but with other plants and even with animals. Some, like the wild tobacco, even know not to communicate when the intended recipient of the message is not around. It does not emit its anti-caterpillar scent until night time when nocturnal moths are liable to be around to lay eggs on them. Should the moths lay eggs on the plants, the plant will signal to an all-purpose insect ally to eat the eggs. That same ally will also eat other insect pests that harm the plant. Scientists say that not only are the plants’ messages specific, it appears that an individual plant will vary its message based on its experience.

That plants even communicate with other species is a wonder that cannot be explained by chance mutations. That their messages are so specific bespeaks the intelligence of their Creator.

Prayer:
Father, I thank You that I can call out to You when I need help, and You will help me because I am Yours in Christ. Amen.

Notes:
Discover, 4/02, pp. 46-51, Sharman Apt Russel, “Talking Plants.” Photo: Tobacco hornworm. Courtesy of Daniel Schwen. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.