the camouflage mechanism in plants would be the same as in animals!

Scientists are increasingly interested in the defensive strategies of plants and, in particular, how they blend into the landscape to protect themselves from predators. Vegetal camouflage has much in common with camouflage methods used by animals. A great example to understand how evolution works.

Research into plant camouflage is limited compared to the wealth of knowledge about how animals hide. However, work carried out by scientists from the University of Exeter and the Kunming Institute of Botany has shown that plants use a number of techniques that have long been known to be used… by animals. The study was published in the journal Trends in ecology and evolution.

The art of disappearing into the background

Among these methods we find homochromy, which consists of adapting to colorscolors environment. The colors are not necessarily solid: spots, stripes or other shapes may be part of this adaptation phenomenon. ” It is clear that plants not only attract pollinators and provide photosynthesis thanks to their color: they also hide in eyeseyes their enemies “says Professor Martin Stevens from Center for Ecology and Nature Conservation at the Penryn Campus in Exeter, Cornwall (UK).

One species that uses this method is Corydalis semidicentra, a plant whose leaves are the same color as the rocks on which it grows. Additionally, different populations of this species vary in appearance depending on where they live: a remarkable example of how camouflage can be adapted to different habitats.

Belonging” decorationdecoration ” – which consists of the accumulation on the surface of elements such as dust or sand – to the adoption of colors destructivedestructiveHigh-contrast—allowing them to blur outlines and better blend in with their surroundings—plants use a variety of camouflage techniques identical to those used by animals. ” Now we need to find out how important a role camouflage plays in the ecology and evolution of plants. ” says Martin Stevens. Vegetal camouflage represents a new area of experimentation in mattermatter ecology and evolution.