MadSci Network: Agricultural Sciences
Query:

Re: How do plants tell time?

Date: Wed Feb 11 08:53:30 1998
Posted By: Gary Bachman, Grad Student Horticulture-Plant Physiology, Ohio State University.
Area of science: Agricultural Sciences
ID: 884990889.Ag
Message:

Since plants, unlike animals, must stay in one location they need to 
carefully sense and respond to the changing environment around them. The 
light environment is extremely important to plants.  Plants have special 
light sensors that influence flowering.  These sensors are pigments that 
absorb light in much the same way chlorophyll does to make energy for the 
plant from sunlight.  However, these special pigments called phytochrome, 
allow the plant to detect changes in the quality of light around them.  
They measure the day length which in turn helps them to know when to 
flower.  Poinsettias and chrysanthemum are examples of plants that will 
only flower when the days are short.  Temperature is also an important 
factor in flowering but sadly we do not yet understand how plants know the 
temperature.  We do know that some plants will not flower unless they have 
been exposed to cold temperatures. 


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