After5Houston - Plants Are Smarter Than We Think

A Conversation About Plants, Intelligence, and Senses

Join a plant scientist and professor for, Plants Are Smarter Than We Think, a fascinating look at the surprising world of plant behavior and the remarkable things plants can do, much of which are simply ignoring. Plants may not have brains, but they have versions of many of our senses and act on what they detect in surprisingly sophisticated ways. They sense their surroundings, respond to threats, communicate with other organisms, and constantly adapt to the world around them.

What We'll Cover:

• The senses of plants - Explore the surprising ways plants detect what's happening around them, including versions of many of the senses we recognize in ourselves.

• Plant behavior - Discover how plants act on what they sense, from responding to threats and environmental changes to interacting with other organisms.

• The intelligence we're missing - Challenge our human-centered ideas about intelligence and consider whether plants demonstrate forms of intelligence we've simply overlooked.

Whether you're curious about the natural world, fascinated by how living things adapt, or simply wondering what plants are capable of, you'll leave seeing the greenery around you a little differently.

Don't miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.

About The Speaker:

Jack Schultz is Distinguished Professor of Entomology Emeritus at Penn State University and Research Professor at the University of Houston. His research has for many years focused on plant interactions with insects. He and colleagues have studied these interactions at many levels, with a special emphasis on dynamic plant behaviors including insect-induced defense responses and communication. Jack is best known for being the first to show that plants can “talk” to each other using volatiles (odors). His research has taken him to North and South American deserts as well as temperate and tropical forests. At present he is trying to understand which plant genes are responsible for plant behaviors.

Good to know before you come:

• Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled

• The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward

• This is a participatory event