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Have We Underestimated Plants?

Plants are far more sophisticated than we think. They can respond to more than a dozen different stimuli, communicate with each other and even make complex β€˜decisions.’

New research suggests plants might be capable of more than many of us might expect. Some – controversially – even describe plants as β€œintelligent”, or even β€œsentient”. So, this week, we’re asking: have we underestimated plants? Our expert witnesses include an academic studying how networks of trees communicate through what she describes as a β€œwood wide web”, and the pioneer who is using plants to develop robotics.

(Photo: US-Fall-Shenandoah, Credit: Getty Images)

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23 minutes

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Tue 17 Nov 2015 21:06GMT
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