A mind-boggling discovery from the weird world of botany.  McMaster University researchers have found that plants potted next to other plants of the same species behave differently depending on whether the neighbour is a stranger or a sibling.

Plants compete with unrelated plants of the same species, but with siblings they are co-operative.  In short, plants can recognise and accommodate next of kin.

The research was conducted by Dr Susan A Dudley and student Amanda File of McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.  Dr Dudley says their findings indicate that plants have a social life and are capable of altruism.

"The ability to recognize and favour kin is common in animals, but this is the first time it has been shown in plants" said Susan Dudley, associate professor of biology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. "When plants share their pots, they get competitive and start growing more roots, which allows them to grab water and mineral nutrients before their neighbours get them. It appears, though, that they only do this when sharing a pot with unrelated plants; when they share a pot with family they don't increase their root growth. Because differences between groups of strangers and groups of siblings only occurred when they shared a pot, the root interactions may provide a cue for kin recognition.”

Doesn’t that mean that plants are sentient beings?  What will vegetarians eat now?

h/t: Faith-Science News