Yes, Some Plants Do "Scream" When They're Cut -You Just Can't Hear It
Haley Lyndes 
POPSUGAR

4/8/2021

To put it simply: plants are smart. While they may not have brains like humans do, plants talk to one another through smell and even communicate with insects to maintain survival. Like any living thing, plants want to remain alive, and research shows that when certain plants are cut, they emit a noise that can be interpreted as a scream. But before you feel guilty for all the leafy greens you've cut over the years, it's important to note that as humans, we process pain because we have a nervous system - plants do not. Because of this, we can't say a plant's "scream" is due to suffering, but is rather a form of communication for survival.

© Getty / Grumpy Cow Studios 

Yes, Some Plants Do "Scream" When They're Cut -You Just Can't Hear It

What Is a Plant's Scream?

According to a study on tobacco and tomato plants by Tel-Aviv University, researchers found that when stressed, certain plants produce an ultrasonic sound that is undetectable to the human ear. Keep in mind that being stressed can be caused by drought, insects, and yes, by being cut. Certain organisms can detect these sounds up to several meters away and respond accordingly to protect themselves. Researchers say if humans could understand these sounds, we'd better understand the condition of plants. However, it's still unclear if all plants emit a sound when they're threatened, so don't worry about your houseplants producing secret screams - it's probably not happening as often as you think.

Is It OK to Cut Plants If They Do Scream?

Yes - similar to humans, not all stress is bad, and in most cases pruning or trimming plants stimulates growth. The best time to prune or trim plants is during their growing seasons (spring or summer), with vines and trees being some of the best plants to trim, along with most houseplants. Keep in mind that certain houseplants like palms and tree ferns are more particular, so trim those plants with ease. Trimming or pruning plants is good to do when there are yellowing or dead sections of your plant, and to encourage fuller growth!

Mandrake History – Learn About Mandrake Plant Lore

Mandragora officinarum is a real plant with a mythical past. Known more commonly as mandrake [1], the lore generally refers to the roots. Beginning in ancient times, the stories about mandrake included magical powers, fertility, possession by the devil, and more. The fascinating history of this plant is colorful and even popped up in the Harry Potter series.

About Mandrake History

The history of mandrake plants and their use and legends goes back to ancient times. Ancient Romans, Greeks, and Middle Eastern cultures were all aware of mandrake and all believed the plant had magical powers, not always for good.

Mandrake is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a perennial herb with a large root and poisonous fruits. One of the oldest references to mandrake is from the Bible and probably dates to 4,000 B.C. In the story, Rachel used the berries of the plant to conceive a child.

In Ancient Greece, mandrake was noted for being a narcotic. It was used medicinally for anxiety and depression, insomnia, and gout. It was also used as a love potion. It was in Greece that the resemblance of the roots to a human was first recorded.

The Romans continued most of the medicinal uses that the Greeks had for mandrake. They also spread the lore and use of the plant throughout Europe, including Britain. There it was rare and costly and was often imported as dried roots.

Mandrake Plant Lore

The legendary stories about mandrake are interesting and revolve around it having magical, often menacing powers. Here are some of the most common and well-known myths about mandrake from earlier times:

The fact that the roots resemble the human form and have narcotic properties is likely what led to the belief in the plant’s magical properties.

The human shape of the mandrake root supposedly screams when pulled from the ground. Hearing that scream was believed to be fatal (not true, of course).

Because of the risk, there were many rituals surrounding how to protect oneself when harvesting mandrake. One was to tie a dog to the plant and then run. The dog would follow, pulling out the root but the person, long gone, would not hear the scream.

As described first in the Bible, mandrake was supposed to boost fertility, and one way to use it was to sleep with the root under a pillow.

Mandrake roots were used as good luck charms, thought to bring power and success to those who held them.

They were also thought to be a curse because of the ability to kill with the root’s scream.

Mandrake was thought to crop up under gallows, wherever the body fluids of condemned prisoners landed on the ground.

Article printed from Gardening Know How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com

URL to article: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/mandrake/mandrake-history-plant-lore.htm

URLs in this post:

[1] mandrake: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/mandrake/mandrake-plant-growing.htm