How does acacia defend itself from herbivorous animals?

Acacia leaf

Acacia trees are very ornamental and resistant trees, so much so that they can be found in all gardens with a warm and temperate climate around the world. However, in addition to being very decorative plants, they are also they keep a little secret. A secret that has a lot to do with the survival instinct, not only of a specimen, but of all those in the same territory.

And it is that these incredible plant beings defend themselves from herbivorous animals. But, how?

Acacia flowers

In climates as dry as there is, for example around the Sahara desert, animals have great difficulty finding food: while carnivores must spend a lot of time stalking their prey, hunting it and then protecting it from scavengers so that can eat, herbivores survive by grazing ... or feeding on the leaves of the few trees that are found.

So far it seems that there is nothing strange but, What if I told you that those trees, specifically acacias, can communicate with each other to protect themselves? These plants usually do not become more than a few stunted bushes, and it is necessary to bear in mind that both giraffes and elephants are true leaf-eaters. But they have the 'support' of their peers.

Acacia tortilis spines

When herbivores begin to eat our protagonist's leaves incessantly, she begins to emit a plant hormone called ethylene, which is responsible for the growth of the plant and the ripening of the fruits. This gas travels up to 45 meters, so once the signal is received, the acacia begins to produce tannin, which in high doses is lethal for many animals.

The phenomenon was discovered in 1990 by Professor Wouter Van Hoven when he was studying the strange death of some 3000 South African antelopes. This man realized that they were forced to eat the leaves of any tree they could get close to, which caused they will increase the dose of poison until they cause death.

Did you know this secret of the Acacia?


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  1.   Atty. Nt. Washington Alberto Vera Ortega said

    excellent form of defense that it has since if it were not for that it would be extinguished, there is where its powers of protection are, and psychic powers.