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Plants can’t move, which means them easy targets for hungry animals. Yet, they aren’t defenseless. There are tons of weapons scattered about the Plant Kingdom to help them survive.
- Bark– Some plants have this hard, armor-like outer covering to protect their softer insides.
- Thorns/Spines/Burs– Basically, their leaves, stems, or seeds have pointy protrusions. This makes them dangerous to touch and even worse to eat. Most animals that try may get a bite, but they’ll suffer for it.
- Chemical– Some plants release toxic chemicals that range from painful burning to terrible taste to lethal poison.
- Symbiosis– Some plants have relationships with insects and animals in exchange for protection. For example, a plant might be home to ants, who keep harmful insects away.
- Waxy cuticles– This thick layer helps protect against UV radiation, some insects, and various pathogens.
- Closing Stomates– This tactic is when a plant closes it’s stomates (pores) to prevent diseases from getting inside.
- Thigmonastic Movement– This is when a plant, or part of it, will curl away or ‘move’ at the slightest touch. Mostly, it seems to be a plant closing its leaves to protect its sensitive bud.
- Mimicry– Plants have evolved to resemble other objects such as rocks. So, they hide in plain sight.
- Carnivorous Plants– Venus flytrap is the most common example. They eat insects that could be harmful, which also gives them nutrients.
Legends of Windemere 
Feed me, Seymore.
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Eep.
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A terrific discussion of plant defenses, Charles. I immediately thought of the cactus and the poison ivy’s of the world
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They came to mind. Funny thing is that they’re tamed compared to some plants. The Manchineel Tree is terrifying.
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It sounds horrible. Imagine being caught in the rain under one of those.
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I’m sure many creatures have.
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So true. 🥵
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In addition to defense, burrs and some grasses have pointy bits that can contain seeds. They can spreads seeds by hitching a ride on animals that try to get a bite.
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True. Plenty of methods of seed transport.
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Plants are very clever and this made me think we wouldn’t have much to eat if they all had such strong defences! I guess grass for example is just good at growing so it doesn’t mind being eaten!
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True. Though I guess most life would die off if all plants prevented themselves from being eaten.
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Nature is so amazing.
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And occasionally terrifying.
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Nature is far more adaptive than we are.
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Humans can adapt if they try. Though adaptation typically results in weaker members of a species dying.
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True.
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