Sunflowers can sense light, and mimosa plants can sense touch. But there is a type of plant that might completely surprise your imagination. It not only "hears" music but also dances along with it. The leaves of this plant sway in rhythm with the notes, and even when the pitch changes, its dance steps will also change accordingly.
This plant is hailed as the "dancing king" of the plant kingdom. Its name is "Dance Grass" (Codariocalyx motorius), and it is widely distributed in places like Yunnan and Fujian in China. Because it can dance along with the rhythm of music, it has become a favorite among many gardening enthusiasts. As early as the 19th century, the renowned biologist Charles Darwin detailed this peculiar phenomenon of the Dance Grass in his book "The Power of Plant Movement".
Behind the name of the "Dance Grass", there lies a touching story. According to the legend, in ancient Xishuangbanna, there was a beautiful and kind girl named Duoyi. She had a natural love for dancing and was highly skilled. She often performed for the villagers during the off-seasons, with her graceful and elegant dance movements resembling a golden peacock dancing in the forest. Duoyi's fame gradually spread throughout the region until one day, the cruel feudal lord forcibly took her away and demanded that she dance every day. Duoyi refused to submit and eventually chose to escape into the Lancang River as a form of protest. Unfortunately, she drowned. Her death attracted widespread attention from the villagers, who spontaneously organized a search and held a grand funeral for her. After that, a special kind of grass grew on Duoyi's grave. Whenever music was heard, it would dance to the rhythm. This plant was then called "Dance Grass" and was regarded as Duoyi's incarnation. There is another version of the legend, which tells of a young girl who committed suicide due to love. After her death, she transformed into the Dance Grass, capable of dancing to love songs.
What is the scientific explanation for why the dancing grass dances?
The dancing grass usually starts to dance when the temperature reaches above 22°C and there is plenty of sunlight: its leaves will sway back and forth, and even rotate. When it hears the sound of music, the rhythm of its dance becomes more obvious, as if it is being summoned by the music. Each leaf has a "hinge" structure that helps it overcome the weight of the leaf and move rapidly.
But here comes the question: Why does the dancing grass "dance"? Botanists have proposed several explanations. Some researchers believe that the dancing of the dancing grass might be a defense mechanism. When insects see the plant "dancing", they might think that this plant is not so easy to deal with, and thus avoid approaching it or laying eggs on it. There is also a theory that the dancing of the dancing grass helps to maximize the absorption of sunlight, thereby improving the efficiency of photosynthesis. Because the dancing grass can only dance when there is light, its leaves will close at night and return to a static state.
The lower part of the small leaves of the dancing grass contains a kind of sponge-like tissue that is sensitive to light. When exposed to sunlight, the water in the plant body evaporates rapidly, causing the sponge-like tissue to expand and thereby triggering the leaves to start moving. Research has found that when the temperature rises to around 30°C, the amplitude of the dancing grass's movements becomes more intense and its dance steps become more lively. In other words, the "dance" of the dancing grass is closely related to temperature and light.
What is even more astonishing is that the dancing grass can "hear" music! Although this sounds like a plot from a science fiction novel, in fact, the dancing grass does not actually have ears. Scientists believe that the dancing grass can sense sounds by receiving the vibrations of sound waves through its leaves. In multiple experiments, researchers found that after constantly hearing the same music, the dancing grass seemed to gradually improve its dance movements, and even became more fluid and rhythmic.
How to successfully grow this particular plant?
Preparations before sowing:
The seeds of the water plant have a hard waxy layer on their surface. This waxy layer makes it possible for the seeds to take several days or even longer to germinate under natural conditions. To speed up the germination process, we need to carry out some treatments before sowing:
Remove the waxy layer: Use fine dry sand to gently rub off the waxy substance on the outside of the seeds, or use the method of frying sand to wear down the seed coat.
Soaking seeds: Place the worn-out seeds in warm water (about 38°C) and let them soak for more than 24 hours. This will help the seeds expand and facilitate rapid germination.
Moist and warm environment: Wrap the seeds in coarse cloth and place them in a warm and humid area. Wait until the seeds expand and dry before sowing.
Appropriate conditions for sowing:
The optimal sowing temperature for the dance grass is between 20°C and 28°C. When planting, special attention should be paid to the way the seeds are covered:
The surface of the seeds only needs to be covered with a thin layer of culture medium, with a thickness of approximately 1 to 3 times the diameter of the seeds. If the seeds are buried too deeply, germination will be very difficult.
Spray water gently with a spray bottle and cover the opening of the flower pot with plastic film to prevent water from evaporating. Place the flower pot in a shady area and ventilate it for 15 to 20 minutes every day.
It will take about 8 to 10 days for the seeds to start germinating.
Management after germination:
When the seeds germinate and the first pair of leaves unfold, the covering material should be removed and the plant should be placed in a sunny area, but avoid direct sunlight. Next, pay special attention to the following points:
Gradually increase light exposure: When the first pair of leaves turn green, you can gradually increase the light intensity; when the second pair of true leaves grow out, you can move the plant to a place where it receives direct sunlight.
Temperature and moisture control: Dianthus is highly sensitive to temperature and moisture. Especially when the temperature changes significantly, excessive watering should be avoided.
Regularly rotate the pot: To ensure that the plant receives sunlight evenly, it is best to rotate the pot at regular intervals.
Water and Fertilizer Management:
Watering tips: It is best to water in the morning to avoid watering under direct sunlight. You can let the water sit for 4 to 6 minutes to remove the chlorine from the water. When watering, use a narrow-mouthed watering can to prevent water from directly spraying onto the leaves and stems of the plants.
Fertilization: When the plants have grown for one month, fertilization can be carried out twice. The first fertilization is during the flowering period, and the second is when the plants are 2 to 3 months old.
Transplantation and Reproduction:
When the seedlings grow to about 1 inch in height, the stronger plants can be selected, while the others can be transplanted. During the transplantation process, be careful not to damage the plant's root hairs. The operation should be carried out as follows: [1]
Dig a suitable hole in the middle of the flower pot, gently place the plant in it, making sure the roots are not compressed. Cover with a layer of growing medium, slightly press it down, and then water it appropriately. During the germination period, keep the soil moist; after germination, you can allow the soil to dry slightly, but keep the surface dry and the inner layer moist.
Common reasons for planting failures:
The common causes of failed plantings are usually related to unsuitable environment, improper sowing methods, or inadequate management. For instance, temperature fluctuations are not conducive to germination; seeds that are buried too deeply or do not have sufficient contact with the soil will affect germination. Moreover, if no plastic coverings are used to protect the seedlings, or if watering, lighting, and fertilization are not done properly, the wild mustard will not be able to grow successfully.
The dancing grass not only possesses unique dancing characteristics, but also is a favorite ornamental plant among gardening enthusiasts. Its leaves naturally sway in rhythm with the music, creating an enchanting dance-like posture. The elegant appearance and agile movements of the dancing grass make it an ideal material for making bonsai, and it also has a high ornamental value in the gardening market.
Source:
[1]https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=49752