If these plants are tropical, the idea that this is a response to either photoperiodism or freezing is nonsense. It does make sense that it might allow water to run off the leaves, thus potentially reducing fungal infections. The "make room for carnivores!" explanation seems a little far fetched, but I agree it's a fun idea!
The fact is, as Gould pointed out in his famous "Spandrels of San Marcos" paper, there may be absolutely no adaptive significance to this at all!😁
Yeah, with plants the adaptive significance isn’t always necessary. There could have been a point to it in the past, but now it’s like, a vestigial (I don’t want to say behavior but I can’t think of another word😂).
Interesting behavior.
If these plants are tropical, the idea that this is a response to either photoperiodism or freezing is nonsense. It does make sense that it might allow water to run off the leaves, thus potentially reducing fungal infections. The "make room for carnivores!" explanation seems a little far fetched, but I agree it's a fun idea!
The fact is, as Gould pointed out in his famous "Spandrels of San Marcos" paper, there may be absolutely no adaptive significance to this at all!😁
Yeah, with plants the adaptive significance isn’t always necessary. There could have been a point to it in the past, but now it’s like, a vestigial (I don’t want to say behavior but I can’t think of another word😂).
wow...nyctinasty. I love that.
Coolest botanical term I've come across so far.