Scientists Just Discovered What Plants Do When You Pick Them – And It’s Intense!

It turns out that plants might not be as silent as we once believed. New research reveals that plants under stress emit sounds that resemble “screams,” though these sounds are far beyond the range of human hearing. This discovery, published in Cell, adds an unexpected layer to how we understand plant life and their interactions with their surroundings.

Plants Emit Distress Sounds in Response to Threats

The study suggests that when plants are cut or deprived of water, they release high-pitched popping noises. These sounds, however, are too faint for humans to pick up naturally. To capture these “screams,” scientists used specialized recording equipment that could detect sounds outside human hearing.

Lilach Hadany, an evolutionary biologist at Tel Aviv University who led the research, explained that these plant sounds are more common than we realize. “Even in a quiet field, there are actually sounds that we don’t hear, and those sounds carry information,” Hadany shared. She added that animals could likely hear these noises, creating the potential for a unique form of communication between plants and other organisms.

The Science Behind Plant Sounds

The study’s findings indicate that these noises are absent in healthy, well-watered plants, but emerge when plants experience distress. “Distress,” in this case, includes situations like dehydration or having their stems cut. The plant noises are described as short, high-pitched clicks – far from the kind of scream we can comprehend but still notable in the plant world.

Interestingly, it’s still unknown how plants produce these sounds. Unlike animals, plants lack vocal cords, yet they somehow release sounds when they’re in trouble. Researchers are exploring this question further, as it could provide even more insight into plant biology and their interaction with the environment.

Sound Communication in Nature

Hadany’s team believes that sound may play a larger role in plant communication than previously understood. “Plants interact with insects and other animals all the time, and many of these organisms use sound for communication, so it would be very suboptimal for plants to not use sound at all,” Hadany pointed out.

This concept raises the possibility that sound emissions could be an important survival tool, allowing plants to signal danger or unfavorable conditions. The study’s findings open the door to further questions, especially regarding which creatures may be listening. “Now that we know that plants do emit sounds, the next question is – ‘who might be listening?’” said Hadany. The research team is already studying how animals and other plants might respond to these sounds, which could reveal new insights into ecological connections in nature.

What’s Next in Plant Sound Research?

Scientists are now looking into how these sounds might be understood and used in practical ways. For instance, farmers could one day use sound detection to gauge plant health, allowing for more efficient and targeted care. As more is learned about these plant sounds, technology might be able to “listen” to crops, helping identify issues such as water shortages or disease early.

Changing Perspectives on Plant Life

This research joins a growing body of evidence that suggests plants are more complex than once thought. While they don’t have brains or nervous systems like animals, they seem to react to their environment in ways that challenge our traditional views. This latest discovery shows that plants may interact with the world around them through sound, potentially signaling distress in the hopes that something might respond.

Interestingly, these findings come amid other studies about changes in how humans digest plants, as modern diets shift away from high-fiber foods. As we learn more about plants’ capabilities, it’s clear that they are far more intricate than we might think – possibly even able to communicate in ways that only other plants, insects, or animals can understand.

This discovery continues to challenge assumptions and reminds us of the unseen connections within nature. While plants don’t “scream” in the way we understand, their high-pitched cries for help add to the rich tapestry of life and highlight the ongoing mystery of the natural world.