What amazed biologists the most is that flowers can survive underground without photosynthesis.
An international team of scientists conducted extensive research on information sources and identified 114 plant species from 24 families that hibernate in order to benefit in the long term.
The orchid family is known for being able to "fall asleep" underground for several years, and then germinate at a more favorable time. In the new work, biologists have shown not only other plant species hibernating, but also tried to isolate the reasons for this behavior.
According to experts, the stop in development is due to the benefits that appear in the long term. It seems that the lack of reproduction will negatively affect the population of the genus, but in reality, the surrounding conditions can only harm. Analysis of different species, including Castilleja mollis, Cephalanthera longifolia (Long-leaved pollen head), Cypripedium calceolus (Real slipper), and their geographical location showed that plants "assess" the threat of herbivores, the risk of unfavorable climates and "decide" if the season is right for shoots.
Plots showing the relationship of (a) rainfall to hibernation, (b) latitude to hibernation, (c) study duration to hibernation / Ecology Letters.
Michael Hutchings, co-author of the study at the University of Sussex, commented:
“It seems paradoxical that plants behave in this way. After all, underground they cannot produce photosynthesis, grow and reproduce. Yet our work has shown that many plant species go into hibernation. Some of them have found a way to eat without photosynthesis. They developed a mechanism that allowed them to obtain carbohydrates and other nutrients from soil fungi. We have shown some of the reasons for hibernation, but we have yet to explain how other plants, weather and other conditions affect it."
Alexey Evglevsky
Promotional video: