The Talk Beneath Your Feet

Psalm 96:12-13a
“Let the field be joyful, and all that [is] therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD:”

Some of the most fascinating discoveries in recent years have to do with our growing knowledge of plant communication. New research continues to reveal even more amazing facts about the exquisite intricacy of God’s marvelous work.

Naturalists have long noted that plants often choose to grow at precise spacing from each other and plants of other species. Scientists at the University of California at Santa Barbara theorized that this precision might be a result of communication between the roots of these plants. So they devised an experiment to find out. They designed a network of interlocking, partially transparent growth boxes. These boxes allowed them to watch how root growth took place in single plants, two plants of the same species, and plants of different species.

They discovered that when burro weed roots neared the roots of the creosote bush, the roots of the creosote bush slowed the growth of the nearing roots. They also discovered that burro weed roots will stop growing when they encounter other burro weed roots. This allows the plants to send their roots out where they will not compete with their own kind. Most astonishing is the discovery that burro weed roots continue to grow if they encounter other roots from their own plant. The amazed scientists noted that this means that even plants may have a sense of self.

When the Bible tells us that the whole creation praises its Creator, it certainly suggests that at least every living thing has a sense of itself as well as its Creator.

Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for the excellence of Your work. Help me to praise You as Creator and Savior before others so that their voices, too, may join in worship. Amen.

Notes:
Weiss, R. 1991. “Root words.” Science News, v. 139, Mar. 23. p. 188.