Defensive Plants - Plant Protections

Plants have evolved various defence mechanisms to protect against herbivores. Mechanical defences include structures like the Acacia tree's spines, which deter grazers. Some plants, like the mimosa, use figmonastic defences, responding to touch by closing leaves or flopping to the ground. Chemical defences involve producing toxins, as seen in bracken plants. Nettles use painful stings, while dead nettles employ mimicry, resembling stinging nettles without the actual stingers. These strategies help plants survive by deterring predators and conserving energy.

What are the external structural defenses that discourage herbivores called?

How have some Acacia trees adapted to deter grazers like giraffes?

What is the term used for the defensive tactics that plants employ in response to touch?

Describe how bracken plants use chemical defenses to discourage grazers.

What strategy does the dead nettle use to avoid predation?