When you read this title, it almost sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. How can flowers hear anything? And if they do hear, how does that make them capable of producing sweeter nectar? A Tel Aviv University researcher found that in at least one case, plants can actually ‘hear’, and it gives them a huge advantage. Within minutes of sensing vibrations from a pollinator’s wings, evening primroses temporarily increase the concentration of sugar in its nectar. “We have to take into account that flowers have evolved with pollinators for a very long time…they are living entities, and they, too, need to survive in the world. It’s important for them to be able to sense their environment – especially if they cannot go anywhere”. To read more about this fascinating study, click here!
