What a Plant Knows is a popular science book about sensory system of plants by Daniel Chamovitz. Originally published in 2012, the book explores how plants perceive their environment through senses analogous to human sight, smell, touch, hearing, and memory. The book has been translated into over 20 languages and has influenced discussions in plant biology, philosophy, and ethics. A revised edition was published in 2017.
The book is structured around the concept of plant senses, with each chapter dedicated to a specific sense:
Sight: Explores how plants detect light and its direction, enabling them to orient themselves for optimal photosynthesis.
Smell: Discusses how plants emit and detect volatile compounds, facilitating communication and defense mechanisms.
Taste: Discusses how plants secrete and detect soluble compounds, enabling communication between plants and regulation of plant nutrition.
Touch: Examines plants' responses to mechanical stimuli, such as the rapid closure of the Venus flytrap upon contact.
Hearing: Investigates the controversial idea that plants may respond to sound vibrations, although this area remains under scientific scrutiny.
Balance: Shows how plants perceive proprioception and coordinate movements.
Memory: Considers how plants can "remember" past exposures to stimuli, affecting future responses.
Chamovitz emphasizes that while plants do not possess consciousness, their sensory capabilities are complex and vital for survival.
Hardcover edition, 2012<br> Paperback version, 2013<br> Revised edition, 2017
What a Plant Knows has been translated and published in a number of languages. Since its original publication, what a plant knows has been cited in over 500 academic journals influencing the discourse not only in plant biology, but in diverse Fields such as ethics, philosophy, and human biology.