Decoding Secret Communication Between Plants

5:31 minutes

Plants communicate with one another through their roots, chemical signals, and even networks of fungi. Reporting in Science, plant scientist James Westwood says some parasitic plants can exchange messages on a molecular level with their host. Westwood discusses what these messages might say.

Segment Guests

James Westwood

James Westwood is a professor in plant pathology, physiology, and weed science at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Meet the Producer

About Alexa Lim

@AlexaLim22

Alexa Lim was a senior producer for Science Friday. Her favorite stories involve space, sound, and strange animal discoveries.

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Meet the Producer

About Alexa Lim