The Secret Sounds of Stressed Plants

Researchers have recorded the sounds made by plants in response to stresses like dehydration or a cut, finding that the sounds correspond with the type of stress the plant is under. The sounds are a byproduct of cavitation, when tiny bubbles burst and produce mini-shock waves inside the plant’s vascular system. The plants did not air their grievances randomly but rather made specific complaints that matched up with the type of stresses they were under. The sounds fall within the hearing range of other animals, like mice and moths, and there is the question of whether other plants could be listening in to their neighbors’ drama.