Exploring the intriguing world of plant intelligence and communication, including the manipulation of genes to create glowing petunias. Delving into how plants react to sound vibrations and the complex ways they communicate with each other. Discussing the debate on plant decision-making capabilities and the ethics of keeping plants as houseplants.
29:00
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Glowing Petunia
Zoë Schlanger obtained a glowing petunia, the first commercially available one.
This plant glows due to genes borrowed from a bioluminescent fungus, highlighting the plant's metabolism.
insights INSIGHT
Plant Intelligence Debate
Plant scientists are debating plant intelligence in academic journals.
This renewed interest follows the discrediting of the book "The Secret Life of Plants" due to its inaccuracies.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Plants Respond to Sound
Researchers played a recording of caterpillars chewing on leaves to plants.
The plants responded by activating their defense mechanisms, even without a real caterpillar present.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Staff writer Zoë Schlanger is the proud owner of a petunia that glows in the dark. But she doesn’t just appreciate the novelty houseplant as work of science. Zoë sees its glow as a way to help us appreciate plants as more alive, more vital, and more complex than we humans typically do. Because in recent years, some scientists have reopened a provocative debate: Are plants intelligent?
They’ve devised experiments that break down elements of this big broad question: Can plants be said to hear? Sense touch? Communicate? Make decisions? Recognize kin?
Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub.
Radio Atlantic