The plant is a chameleon disguises for protection from herbivores Bashny.Net

In biological diversity of the planet there are many organisms, animals that can camouflage. But the woody vine Boquila trifoliolata, who can turn their leaves to the foliage of host trees is perhaps the champion of chameleons. A native of Chile and Argentina, B. trifoliolata can mimic multiple "masters."





This is a rare quality known as polymorphism, the ability that was previously observed only in butterflies. When the vine climbs up tree branches, its versatile leaves can change their size, shape, color, orientation, and even the pattern of veins in accordance with the surrounding foliage. If the vine goes to another tree, it changes, even if the new owner has leaves with contrasting forms (right photo). Deception serves as a protection from herbivores such as the weevil and the leaf beetle, think the researchers. But to scientists it is unclear how the chameleon vine distinguishes between individual trees and, consequently, shape the leaves. They suspect that this vine can read signals hidden in the smells or chemicals secreted by trees or microbes.

Source: nauka24news.ru/