Plants 'Recognize' Their Siblings 331

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:36PM from the family-tree dept.

An anonymous reader writes to tell us that according to a recent study, Biologists have found that plants are able to recognize their own relatives. "Researchers at McMaster University have found that plants get fiercely competitive when forced to share their pot with strangers of the same species, but they're accommodating when potted with their siblings. [...] Though they lack cognition and memory, the study shows plants are capable of complex social behaviours such as altruism towards relatives, says Dudley. Like humans, the most interesting behaviours occur beneath the surface."

Plants 'Recognize' Their Siblings

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Sharing (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:38PM (#19495977)

I too become fiercely competitive when forced to share my pot with strangers

When will you learn?! (Score:5, Funny)

by snowgirl ( 978879 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:40PM (#19496009) Journal

See? I was right! Plants have feelings, too! Eating plants is MURDER!

I'm a nilegan for life! I won't harm another thing in this world, just to advance myself!

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:2, Funny)

by ale_ryu ( 1102077 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:42PM (#19496055) Homepage

I guess cheese is the only edible thing without feelings then...

Stop anthropomorphizing plants! (Score:5, Funny)

by RobertB-DC ( 622190 ) * writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:42PM (#19496057) Homepage Journal

They *hate* it when you do that!

Re:Sentience (Score:5, Funny)

by Chris Burke ( 6130 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:44PM (#19496089) Homepage

Why should anyone believe your statement that they lack cognition and memory?

Well they asked the plants if they had cognition and memory, and the plants said "no". Then they asked if they meant they didn't have either or just didn't have both, and the plant said "both of what?" So there ya go.

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:2, Funny)

by mulvane ( 692631 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:45PM (#19496113)

Cheese is made from milk.. Think of all the starving calves out there!!!!

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:48PM (#19496153)

Don't worry. I love veal...

PETA? (Score:3, Funny)

by PygmySurfer ( 442860 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:51PM (#19496225)

So, does this mean PETA will fuck off and die now?

Enter the rise of Vegetable Rights Activists! (Score:3, Funny)

by GeekBoy ( 10877 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:55PM (#19496289)

Great, now we'll have the extreme left nut jobs chaining themselves to plants and committing vegetable rights terrorism in their war to save plants from the evils of corporations, America and that most loathsome enemy of all, worthy of destruction for the good of plants and animals alike, humanity!!!

Re:PETA? (Score:4, Funny)

by Pojut ( 1027544 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:55PM (#19496293) Homepage

It's like I always say to any vegetarian:

"For every animal you don't eat, I'm going to eat three"

Oh, and the always popular:

"There is room for every one of god's creations...right next to the mashed potatoes."

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

by Ucklak ( 755284 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:58PM (#19496331)

Don't even mention that plants can feel pain. What are the vegans going to eat?

Could be... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @03:58PM (#19496339)

That, or we're all reading way too much into this :-)

Re:PETA? (Score:5, Funny)

by Mattintosh ( 758112 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:00PM (#19496375)

My favorite:

"If we aren't supposed to eat the animals, then why did God make them out of meat?"

Uh huh (Score:4, Funny)

by ip_freely_2000 ( 577249 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:02PM (#19496411)

"Researchers at McMaster University have found that plants get fiercely competitive when forced to share their pot with strangers of the same species, but they're accommodating when potted with their siblings"

Ya right. I suggest they stop smoking the plants they are studying.

Re:Or... (Score:4, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:09PM (#19496521)

Hopefully nothing....More for me.

Obligitory Zelazny Quote (Score:3, Funny)

by Prototerm ( 762512 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:11PM (#19496555)

"I trusted him like a brother. That is, not at all"

--From somewhere in the original Amber Series

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

by veganboyjosh ( 896761 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:11PM (#19496561)

nothing that casts a shadow...

How screws many it take vegans does to light bulb? (Score:1, Funny)

by veganboyjosh ( 896761 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:19PM (#19496681)

A. Six thought and again three much disorder for too deficiency zinc.

Perfect (Score:1, Funny)

by |deity| ( 102693 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:36PM (#19496997) Homepage

This is perfect. Soon the vegans will realize that plant lives have just as much value as their own. They will have to quit eating plants and die of starvation.

Re:PETA? (Score:5, Funny)

by Damek ( 515688 ) writes: <adam.damek@org> on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @04:53PM (#19497279) Homepage

Careful, cowboy, God made humans out of meat, too. You might want to reconsider that one... ;-)

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

by doti ( 966971 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @05:08PM (#19497517) Homepage

Yeah, I can picture the scene: Your dad catch you fucking your sister in the bathroom, and you say "I thought I was just masturbating!"

Re:PETA? (Score:5, Funny)

by smellsofbikes ( 890263 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @05:08PM (#19497523) Journal

Whenever someone says that to me, I say the same thing about babies. It upsets people sometimes.

Wrong (Score:4, Funny)

by BitterAndDrunk ( 799378 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @05:08PM (#19497529) Homepage Journal

Oxygenarian is someone who's been alive 80 years.
Do a google before you post next time so you don't look so ignorant.

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

by ozbird ( 127571 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @05:43PM (#19497993)

Other vegans, then.

Re:PETA? (Score:3, Funny)

by Harald Paulsen ( 621759 ) * writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @05:57PM (#19498111) Homepage

Bite me!

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:3, Funny)

by bckrispi ( 725257 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @06:33PM (#19498549)

I'm a level 5 vegan - I won't eat anything that casts a shadow.
Ha! I'm a level 7 mage. I cast "remove shadow" on the cow, and "doogie's irresistable hunger" on truthsearch. Save vs. spell or eat the yummy bovine!!!

Re:Or... (Score:4, Funny)

by the_bard17 ( 626642 ) writes: <theluckyone17@gmail.com> on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @07:25PM (#19499031)

Nah... more like your dad catching you fucking your sister in the bathroom, and he says "I thought I was just masturbating!"

Re:Or... (Score:3, Funny)

by Jeremi ( 14640 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @07:27PM (#19499055) Homepage

I eat what's appealing, same as every other animal. Do I need another reason?

Hannibal? Is that you?

I can see it now... (Score:1, Funny)

by thegsusfreek ( 769912 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @07:36PM (#19499127)

People for the Ethical Treatment of Plants ...because plants have feelings too.

I think vaginatarianism is the best... (Score:3, Funny)

by Optic7 ( 688717 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @07:44PM (#19499207)

So my personal spiritual goal is to be a (strict) vaginatarian.

Re:PETA? (Score:3, Funny)

by denttford ( 579202 ) writes: on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @08:33PM (#19499611) Homepage

Vegetables are what food eats!

Re:Or... (Score:3, Funny)

by Thomas Miconi ( 85282 ) writes: on Thursday June 14, 2007 @06:00AM (#19502817)

Frankly, I'm very comfortable with my place in the food chain.

Great Cthulhu approves of your enthusiasm.

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Plants 'Recognize' Their Siblings 331

Plants 'Recognize' Their Siblings More Login

Plants 'Recognize' Their Siblings

Sharing (Score:5, Funny)

When will you learn?! (Score:5, Funny)

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:2, Funny)

Stop anthropomorphizing plants! (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Sentience (Score:5, Funny)

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:2, Funny)

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:1, Funny)

PETA? (Score:3, Funny)

Enter the rise of Vegetable Rights Activists! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:PETA? (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

Could be... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:PETA? (Score:5, Funny)

Uh huh (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:4, Funny)

Obligitory Zelazny Quote (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

How screws many it take vegans does to light bulb? (Score:1, Funny)

Perfect (Score:1, Funny)

Re:PETA? (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:PETA? (Score:5, Funny)

Wrong (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:PETA? (Score:3, Funny)

Re:When will you learn?! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:3, Funny)

I can see it now... (Score:1, Funny)

I think vaginatarianism is the best... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:PETA? (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Or... (Score:3, Funny)

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