If you watch growing sunflowers, early in the morning their heads face east, they swing west through out the day and then turn back east over night. Scientists have discovered that sunflowers use an internal circadian mechanism coupled to growth hormones that allow them to follow the sun during the day. This cycle results in increased plant biomass and fertilization rates of the seeds. Once the plant stops growing the flower heads stop their movement and remain facing east.
News Article:
Podcast:
Press Release
YouTube:
Scientific Article:
atamian etal 2016More Content . . .
Why do sunflowers turn to follow the sun?
