The Evidence for Memory Learning in Plants

Scientists are not 100% sure why the most aputica closes its leaves, though it is generally believed to be some kind of defensive reaction. If they were to keep their leaves closed all the time, the plant would be drastically reducing its ability to collect sunlight and feed through photosynthesis. And this is the classic risk-reward paradigm that we know well with all kinds of animals. You have a small prey animal that might be much safer if it stays in its cozy little burrow but if it never leaves, it forgoes opportunities to get food.