I'm a Scientist — And I Swear Plants Are Conscious

• READ MORE Plants possess INTELLECT and can tackle problems.

Scientists have noticed plants interacting with their environment in manners suggesting consciousness, according to one researcher’s claims.

Paco Calvo, who teaches at the University of Murcia in Spain , has been studying plant intelligence and problem-solving for many years, discovering that the mimosa seems to 'acquire knowledge through experience' as it ceases to curl up.

"In psychology, that's the fundamental type of learning," Calvo explained to .

This sequence of folding followed by no further folding aligns with the notion that the plant acquired knowledge through experience rather than inheriting it genetically.

The professor further mentioned that various plants convey information using chemical signals, tackle challenges, and seem to possess some form of memory.

A number of researchers characterize intelligence as possessing a central nervous system through which electrical impulses travel from one nerve to another for processing information.

Plants possess a vascular system instead—a network of cells designed for transporting water, minerals, and nutrients to support their growth.

"We view plants as resources—for fuel, oxygen, textiles, and food—but we fail to appreciate them simply for what they are," stated Calvo.

If we manage to comprehend a different type of intelligence that doesn’t necessitate brains, maybe we can grasp what brings us all together within the Tree of Life.

We have to locate the main key.

Certain plants seem to 'recall' past droughts and use water more sparingly compared to those that haven’t experienced such conditions before, according to the professor. Additionally, strawberries can learn to connect light cues with areas rich in nutrients.

He went on to say that plants also synchronize their pollen-release times with the presence of pollinators like bees.

Scientists have likewise theorized that plants might possess the ability to count, reach conclusions, identify kin, and perhaps retain memories of past occurrences.

The issue lies in how humans define intelligence based on our own characteristics—focusing solely on creatures with brains—which causes us to overlook potential forms of intelligence and awareness beyond what we recognize.

'In our opinion, you must be considered an animal to be intelligent, which is quite shortsighted,' stated Calvo.

A recently published research from Cornell University discovered that goldenrod plants release a chemical when consumed by beetles, which makes the insects believe the plant is injured and unsuitable as a food source—prompting neighboring goldenrods to respond similarly.

Andre Kessler, a chemical ecologist and professor at Cornell University, stated: "This aligns with our understanding of intelligence."

'Based on the environmental cues it gathers, the plant alters its typical actions.'

Calvo is part of an increasing group of researchers advocating for a fresh perspective on how plants tackle issues and share information. They argue that plant behavior bears resemblance to human thought processes, albeit lacking a centralized organ like a brain.

'When plant cells experience changes in voltage similar to action potentials in brain cells, they activate as well. For instance, when you stimulate the sensory hairs of a Venus flytrap twice and it closes, this occurs due to such an electrical impulse,' he explained.

'Lacking a brain or nervous system doesn’t imply that you can’t engage in electrochemical signaling!'

Calvo has also proposed that plants 'think' utilizing their vascular system—a network of cells that facilitates the transport of water, minerals, and nutrients to support growth.

But it’s also used to transmit information, he noted.

‘Not having a brain or nervous system doesn’t mean you can’t have some form of electrochemical communication,' the professor continued.

'You have electrical signals travelling through the vascular system - so your plant is not simply responding where it’s been stimulated, it can respond at the other end of the plant.

'Although plants lack a brain, they utilize electrochemical signaling at their distinct pace to survive.'

Calvo mentioned that the neurotransmitters found in human brains, like glutamate or GABA, are also present in plants—and they can serve similar functions at times.

"So when you have a plant with a caterpillar feeding on its leaf, the plant can employ the neurotransmitter glutamate to initiate a calcium wave across its stems and leaves, thereby producing a protective chemical defense against the caterpillar," he clarified.

Calvo stated that plants must adopt a distinct survival approach compared to humans due to being anchored in the ground; hence, their method is to “spread and dominate.”

‘So if you try to grab or attack an animal, it can fight back,' he explained.

When it comes to plants, they can't perform those actions — therefore, their approach is to maintain a completely decentralized system.

If you cut off a limb, they can sprout another branch. But if you amputate my arm, I won’t regrow it.

Studying plant intelligence might play a key role in enhancing our self-understanding and combating climate change.

"We view plants as resources—for fuel, oxygen, textiles, and food—but we fail to appreciate them simply for what they are," stated Calvo.

'By comprehending an alternate form of intelligence that doesn’t necessitate brains, maybe we can grasp what brings us together within the tree of life. It’s essential to uncover the master key.'

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