Hello and welcome to another episode of Celestial Crumbs, where we discuss facts and theories that make life worth living. I’m your host Nathalie Bonilla, and as always, Coraline is here with us today to offer some emotional comfort and paw-sitivity.
Today, I want to discuss a gorgeous study I came across recently regarding flowers, but more specifically sunflowers.
In this study, the scientists found that Sunflowers dance so others can grow better - it ensures others receive better sunlight
Darwin was the first one to first take note of the cyclical movement or the wiggle that all plants exhibit as they grow. This movement is referred to as circumnutation and occurs both above and below ground as the stem and roots grow, spread out and communicate with their neighbors
While it may make more sense to see this movement in plants, we don’t really think of this movement as being conscious of plants - like Sunflowers for instance.
Studies have found that sunflowers not only move to maximize their own sunlight, but they also adjust their positions to ensure their neighboring sunflowers can thrive too. This movement isn’t random, it’s ensuring the survival for all.
What’s even more fascinating, is in these studies, the plants were potted separately, and were placed besides each other. So even though their roots aren’t crossing each other’s path they still grew in a way that was almost completely optimal for all to receive sunlight.
By growing like this, it ensures all plants are growing in harmony, minimizing shading and creating a balance within their community. Sunflowers, in their quiet cooperation, remind us that growth isn’t a solitary endeavor—it’s something we do together, ensuring everyone gets their chance to shine.
Just like sunflowers, many other plants communicate and share resources. A more wild example can be found in the underground fungal networks known as mycorrhizal networks. (Side note: That even sounds like something that would be in the brain.)
Anyway, These networks allow trees to exchange nutrients, with stronger trees sometimes helping weaker ones. In Douglas fir and beech trees we actually see that there’s mother trees that send resources to baby trees, saplings that are growing and need a helping hand.
This fungal network acts like an invisible web of support, ensuring that the entire forest thrives together. These massive unground fungal networks are organisms entirely their own with information being passed through root neural system across acres of land.
If plants like the sunflower can instinctively support their community, helping others grow and thrive, then maybe there’s something we can learn from them about how we can move through the world, that also empowers others as they move and grow.
Bonus Fact Time: What’s ten feet tall, can take up to ten years to bloom, and attract a crowd akin to baby turtles hatching on a beach? The corpse flower! As mentioned, these are the world’s largest flowers and it can be years, up to 10, in between its blooms. When it blooms, not only does the strong odor of decomposing bodies permeate the air, but it attract people who travel from far and wide to see the event! This has been another cosmic nibble, now back to the show!
Perhaps, like the sunflower, we can find ways to share our light, shift and grow in ways that lift others as well.
I ask that the next time you take a walk, take a moment to look around and see the web of support that surrounds you, supporting the breath you take and the ground you walk on, appreciate its quiet wisdom. Let it be a reminder that within us all, there’s strength in gentle, purposeful movement and in community. Whether you’re at the start of a journey, dancing through life’s changes, or standing still in the warmth of a new chapter, know that you, like the sunflower, have the power to bring light to others.
Thank you for joining us on this episode of Celestial Crumbs. Until next time, keep shining and keep growing.
Important links:
https://physicsworld.com/a/sunflowers-dance-together-to-share-sunlight/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-trees-support-each-other-through-a-network-of-fungi/
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