Plants Detect the Start and End of Touch Without Nerves
Researchers from the University of Washington have uncovered a remarkable ability in plants: they can tell when something begins to touch them and when that touch ends, all without any nervous system. The findings, consistent with what scientists have explored for years about plant sensing, were presented in a study that adds a new layer to our understanding of how plants interact with their surroundings. Rather than relying on a network of nerves, plants rely on finely tuned internal signals that reveal a sophisticated response to contact. This discovery helps explain how plants manage everyday interactions with wind, raindrops, insects, and settling soil particles, translating physical contact into meaningful physiological changes that help the plant adapt and survive. The study used careful observations and rigorous experimentation to map how plants register and interpret different touch cues, contributing to a broader picture of plant communication and behavior that researchers are continuing to build today.