Animal advocates and wildlife enthusiasts like you and me are always excited when new research comes out demonstrating the intelligence of the “others” among us; for example, how crows solve problems or whales have complex cultures. But when we cross over into the area of plant intelligence, well, it often sounds a bit too New Agey for most of us.

A recent spate of studies, however, is proving that plants have volition, show altruism and understand kinship much like many animal species. Could this dramatically change how we view plants and, in turn, make us care about what happens to them in the way we’re concerned about threatened, charismatic wildlife?

Four years ago, in 2011, I wrote an article about the intelligent behavior of trees. While those who commented on the blog had mostly positive things to say, social media posters had a field day with the piece. “Nonsense” wrote one and “Having a slow news day?” penned another.

In the years since, however, a number of new studies are continuing to show that plants are smarter than we think. It’s tempting to believe that since plants are rooted in place, they aren’t capable of the complex thought processes that an animal that can run from predators or make its way across town for a cup of coffee is competent enough to achieve. But in a recent article in National Wildlife, author Janet Marinelli cited several reports to the contrary, including one by Italian botanist Stefano Mancuso, a University of Florence professor and plant neurobiology pioneer, who states that just because plants can’t move or run in the way that we do doesn’t mean they aren’t smart.

http://goodnature.nathab....cordingly/

Poor plants. Time to switch to an all-meat diet.

there is an excellent documentary called 'what plants talk about' that everyone should watch in school, imo. plants actually make intelligent, conscious decisions that are responsive to their environment. they also team up with other plants. it's really fascinating to watch the docu.

So, do they feel?

Time to give up plants as a food source then... Stop mowing that lawn!