This plant is being called 'intelligent' after researchers find strange behaviours

It doesn't have a brain or a central nervous system, but researchers say this plant is intelligent. That's the argument behind a new paper from Cornell University. When faced with a problem, some plants, like the tall goldenrod, seem to display decision making abilities powered by a kind of memory. One lab experiment suggests it hears the screams of its neighbors when they're under attack. When leaf beetles snack on its leaves, they emit chemicals which act as a signal to other insects, telling them the plant is damaged and not a good food source. They also change the way their leaves reflect red light, which nearby goldenrods can detect. Neighboring plants that understand the signals launch a defense system, which includes growing faster and producing more chemicals that deter insects.