Interesting facts (23/365)

According to Wikipedia, shyness among trees is a phenomenon observed in some tree species in which the canopy of leafy trees do not touch each other, forming a canopy with breccias.The phenomenon is more prevalent among trees of the same species, but also occurs between trees of different species.

This is one of those curious phenomena whose causes are unknown, although it was observed for the first time (from a scientific point of view) a hundred years ago. Although the reason is uncertain, botanists and scientists accept as valid several causes, individually or together. The most accepted is that it is a behavior intended to prevent the spread of larvae of insects that damage the leaves.

It would also serve to avoid shadowing each other, maximizing the efficiency of photosynthesis: plants are able to perceive the proximity of their neighbors by detecting far-scattered red light, a mechanism similar to that used by plants, perceiving blue light , to avoid shaded areas.

However, there is also the possibility that it is not a "voluntary" behavior of the trees, but a reciprocal pruning between trees due to friction when moved by the wind; this habitual contact due to the wind ends up destroying the lateral growth nodes, preventing the trees from continuing to grow in that direction, in that in which there is another tree: "because of this interpretation the variable flexibility in lateral branches has a great relationship with the degree of shyness (botany). "

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