Herbivores use mechanical, biochemical, behavioral, microbial, and host manipulation strategies to consume plants despite their defenses. Plants have physical, chemical, and other defenses to deter herbivores. Herbivores have adapted teeth, enzymes, and stomachs to cope with plant defenses, and some manipulate plants to maximize nutrition. Herbivores use five main categories of strategies to evade plant […]
Plants have evolved adaptations against herbivores for over 420 million years. Modern adaptations include avoidance, tolerance, summoning natural enemies, and producing toxins. Examples include poison ivy, foxgloves, and roses. Some plant chemicals have psychoactive effects, such as marijuana, caffeine, and opium. Plants have evolved adaptations against herbivores as long as herbivores have existed, since 420 […]
