A Fungus You can Grow To Like (Limerick)

According to a new study by Dr. David Johnson at the University of Aberdeen, plants communicate to each other through soil.

The study shows that when vegetables are infected with certain diseases, they alert other nearby plants to activate genes to ward off the disease when it heads their way. The key to this communication is a soil fungus that acts as a messenger.

Needless to say, plant-fungus symbiosis inspired this limerick:

A Fungus You can Grow To Like (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Plants talk to each other through dirt:
“You’re in danger!” through fungi, they blurt.
“Use your genes to resist
A disease in your midst,
And render this danger inert.”

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14 Responses to “A Fungus You can Grow To Like (Limerick)”

  1. Kodjo Deynoo says:

    I love the idea that plants talk to each other. Humanity through vanity and arrogance sees all except themselves as intelligent

  2. vandana says:

    Nice one. Science depicted through poetry.

  3. Goodness! I don’t know if I can cope with a mould that’s smarter than me!

  4. Panchali says:

    Unique theme..unique piece of poetry. Lovely…

  5. brian miller says:

    fascinating thought that the plants talk,
    wonder how that makes vegetarians feel?
    smiles.

  6. Talon says:

    That is so cool. A fungus that actually does good. I always knew there was magic in the garden. Wouldn’t it be cool if we had the same ability to help others in need? I mean, support is great and all, but to be able to activate genes would be so neat.

  7. Anna :o] says:

    Hehe. Brilliant.
    Anna :o]

  8. This is awesome =)

  9. Plants are amazing are they not!!!

  10. Love the conversation!!! I’d love to listen in when plants are talking!

  11. z. alexi says:

    17 of us are on a Manh terrace drinking to plant-fungus symbiosis on a steamy Sunday nite. [Our clothes don’t stick together quite as much as last week, tho…whew.] We all went mad over your yakking-thru-dirt plants limerick & every1’s fwd’g it to every1 else. So, thanx, we toast you, Mad!

  12. madkane says:

    Thanks everyone for your delightful comments!

  13. Anand says:

    Awesome imagination. I put my ears to the soil after reading this. :D

  14. Nature is just amazing … if only humans could emulate it … an informative and imaginative poem :)