Artwork “The Tree of All Knowledge”, by Jaider Esbel. Photography: Jaider Esbel Gallery - contemporary indigenous art.

The nature and complexity of plants have intrigued researchers and philosophers for centuries. Great names in history such as Aristotle, Theophrastus, Linnaeus, and Charles Darwin dedicated themselves to understanding the functioning and diversity of these organisms.

Until a few decades ago, the prevailing view approached plants as passive beings, with predictable and programmed responses, defenseless and subject to the world around them. Guided by this approach, it is indeed difficult to attribute any intelligence to plants, simply because the possibility of intelligence in plants is not even considered.

However, in recent decades, much has been discussed about the intelligence and complexity of the plant kingdom. There are at least dozens of works published by authors such as Anthony Trewavas, Michael Marder, Gustavo M. Souza, Monica Gagliano, František Baluška, Paco Calvo, among others, that explore in detail various aspects that point to plant intelligence, with different approaches.

Beyond scientific production, the topic has inspired popular books such as "Bright Green" and "Plant Revolution" by Stefano Mancuso and "The Life of Plants — A Metaphysics of Mixture" by Emanuele Coccia.

But are plants intelligent?

First, it's worth noting that intelligence is not a capacity linked to organisms that possess a central nervous system or a command nucleus, which is a very common view.

For decades, we have talked about bacterial intelligence, viral intelligence, artificial intelligence; we even attribute intelligence to the mastery of other human capacities, such as emotional and social intelligence.

In each of these cases, there are certainly distinct definitions and reasons that justify intelligence. However, currently, it is understood that intelligent behaviors in different life forms are intimately linked to solving problems involving their health and survival. Faced with problems, we animals generally have two options: cope or flee; in the case of plants, fleeing is not a viable option.

Plants in their natural environment are constantly challenged to solve problems such as lack of water and nutrients, predator attacks, or diseases, among dozens of other environmental stimuli and signals to which they are exposed at all times. It is in this context, facing adversity, that we can observe the complexity and intelligence in plant behavior.

Plants are constantly shaping their behavior to solve their daily problems. They have the ability to produce various volatile chemical compounds, and when attacked by herbivores or affected by diseases, for example, the production of these components is altered. Some of the released compounds already have a known function, such as the induction of defense mechanisms, which cause changes such as bitterness in the leaves or the production of intoxicating compounds. Furthermore, these volatile compounds released into the air can warn nearby plants that there is a predator in the area, activating the protection mechanisms of neighboring plants even if they have not (yet) suffered attacks.

It may seem simple, but for this behavior to occur, the plant needs to recognize that its leaves have been preyed upon; understand that this is a problem for its survival; Sending a signal to other parts of the plant; the signal needs to be understood and result in a response that alters its metabolism in order to solve its problem, in this case, altering the chemistry of its leaves.

Note that this behavior predicts a positive outcome in the future (stopping predation), and requires the understanding that the production of a specific compound is a solution to solve its problem. Furthermore, neighboring plants recognize the type of compound released as a warning signal, activating their own defenses, anticipating their response to an upcoming problem.

In nature, plants are susceptible to predation at all times; it is a daily problem that demands complex and sophisticated mechanisms of signaling, learning, and anticipation. In other words, plants need to be intelligent to survive daily adversities.

This is just one of several examples and arguments in favor of plant intelligence, which opens the door to many other equally complex questions. Currently, studies are being conducted on cognition, memory, learning, self-awareness, and intentional behavior in plants.

Discoveries and discussions on the subject are far from over, but it is already known that advances require the integration of diverse areas of knowledge; relying solely on botanical science is no longer sufficient to study the complexity of the plant universe.

The history of studies on plant intelligence shows us that knowledge is increasingly advancing through the integration of diverse knowledge and perspectives, reminding us of what plants have known for millennia: living in cooperation better prepares us for the present and the future.