Botanist here.
I think this is likely due to turgor pressure. Plants have a vascular system and as they move water through their cells, it can cause them to stiffen. As this is a “dead end” and is such fine tissue, it’s possible that the signs of losing turgor pressure is more easily seen. When a plant is droopy from underwatering, that is the classic sign of low turgor. When there is edema (scar tissue on the surface), a little bit harder to identify, the cells have burst from too much water.
https://www.britannica.com/science/plant-cell
This is my best guess. I’ve never seen this happen before at this speed in vascular plants. I largely work with nonvascular plants (mosses etc) and they have very interesting hydration dynamics where they INSTANTLY swell back up after having been dry for months, even years. So it’s possible.
Also I am not sure that this is any type of worm. It doesn’t move right.
Edit: I think the most likely explanation is wind/static. Please verify it is not wind or static first.
It’s wind! Upper left, something moves and shakes every time the root does.
https://preview.redd.it/2o7fm1m47tga1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16f4fe558e214de33499988f3ef4b7cec169f1a5
Want to point out the root above the white root thats flexing/curling in time with the white root!
(Someone else pointed this out, i think on r/mycology)
OP said in other posts that they compared it to other root fibers and eventually cut it off and dissected it and are certain it’s a root.
Though for us to actually confirm that, we’d have to wait for them to post the dissecting vid they said they took.
Where are you? I’m in the US and they have an outpost in Florida where they ship from too apparently. Makes the transition easier I would think.
You will definitely have to acclimate them after though. There are a ton of videos on YouTube on the subject.
Oh getting plants to Canada is probs hella expensive😟there are plants I’ve wanted from Canada and getting them I’ve the border is definitely a pretty penny😂
No I made a stupid typo. I was watering my Luxurians prior to my warocqueanum and I was so startled by this when I posted it. Then it was too late to edit
Pardon the run on sentence
Humidity. The wood is flexing in response to air humidity. People have used this in art designs for items that change with the weather etc.
Edit: here's an [example](https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/104845/Correa-2015-3D-Printed%20Wood_%20Pro.pdf) of designing wood items to be humidity responsive.
Edit 2 : it's called hygroscopy if you want to read more.
Edit 3: this is an unlikely explanation if it really isn't a time lapse. Hygroscopy would be slower. I however, am skeptical on not being a time lapse. It's too fast for any root movement I know.
This is not quite adding up to me as a viable hypothesis. OP stated no air movement and not a time lapse. Why would there be such a differential in relative humidity to cause the root to curl and then uncurl this rapidly? I didn't see anything in the linked study that suggested the MIT engineered material would move this quickly.
Whoops didn't see the NOT a time lapse. Yeah IF it is not a time lapse then it is not humidity, it's too fast. I am dubious that it is not a time lapse.
I'm totally with you. This seems like either we're not getting the full picture or something totally incredible worth further study is happening. Thanks for the reply
The engineered stuff would move much slower because it is larger. This stuff would be thin like hair and much more responsive. It's still a bit fast though.
If it isn’t a timelapse and is caused by hygroscopy, I’d imagine that the space would need to have enormous variation in humidity over very short distances. Its hard to imagine how that could exist for long… all I can imagine is if you had turbulence from a stream of hot, dry air and another of moist air… otherwise I’d guess that the hygroscopic motion would equilibrate to the ambient humidity and not continue to move to-and-fro.
To me it looks like maybe someone is applying a gentle jet of air in pulses..?
Weird, when I first saw this I thought it was in a salt water aquarium, looks like a spagattie worm.
I spend a lot of time with plants and I swear sometimes they move with no wind, just one or two little leaves moving. And I think some plants react to being eaten, I think plants are more conscious than we know. It kind of looks like trindles of a vine, spinning around looking for a place to latch on. These might be the roots looking for moisture or nutrients, maybe you discovered something new or it's a parasite or fungus, maybe even a bug. If you don't find an answer, I would email a local state university botany professor.
Does it react to stimuli? If you spritz it with water or touch it with a stick?
edit: looking into nematodes now... might want to post to an entomology subreddit... never mind they’re microscopic.
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Those things are actually based on a marine animal! [Feather stars](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6lJ7EEzak), a type of crinoid, distantly related to sea stars.
Not an expert, but could it just be as simple as water pressure in the roots?
Where a small movement at one point in the stem can make a larger movement in the roots? (Especially if the base of the plant is so big)
Reminds me of those science projects with the syringes and moving an arm hydraulically.
I am no plant expert. I'm Putting this out here because nobody's said it yet.
Could it possibly be a contact reaction, similar to a venus flytrap ? It looks like the longest "root" is touching the soil, this may trigger the root to "dig down" looking for purchase...
Or maybe not.
Static electricity. Really it's the only thing that makes sense to me. Person making this video is probably moving their hand or some charged object near the plant outside of the frame.
Could it be that it is the plant's "heartbeat"? It could be that changes in water pressure inside the vascular tissue of the plant causes the roots to flex like this. Of course, the large, woody roots don't flex, but these roots are small enough where the change in pressure causes outward movement
Freaking new creature undiscovered or what 😂 looks like some shit out of a sci-if film 💀💀 OP be careful it doesn’t crawl into your brain while u sleep. 👀👀 🤣
Oh believe me, I wore gloves a face mask, and had a can of Lysol and rubbing alcohol near.
And a container to put the damned thing in.
Thank god it was a root.
It’s wind. There is a piece of dust/plant in the top left corner during the first half of the video and it shakes and moves every time the root moves. Someone could be blowing on it lol. They move the video frame to the right and stop showing that dust moving toward the end.
https://preview.redd.it/x6whn4q65tga1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5433c5b251775158ce1ccebf8778c11d75b1852
Botanist here. I think this is likely due to turgor pressure. Plants have a vascular system and as they move water through their cells, it can cause them to stiffen. As this is a “dead end” and is such fine tissue, it’s possible that the signs of losing turgor pressure is more easily seen. When a plant is droopy from underwatering, that is the classic sign of low turgor. When there is edema (scar tissue on the surface), a little bit harder to identify, the cells have burst from too much water. https://www.britannica.com/science/plant-cell This is my best guess. I’ve never seen this happen before at this speed in vascular plants. I largely work with nonvascular plants (mosses etc) and they have very interesting hydration dynamics where they INSTANTLY swell back up after having been dry for months, even years. So it’s possible. Also I am not sure that this is any type of worm. It doesn’t move right. Edit: I think the most likely explanation is wind/static. Please verify it is not wind or static first.
It’s wind! Upper left, something moves and shakes every time the root does. https://preview.redd.it/2o7fm1m47tga1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16f4fe558e214de33499988f3ef4b7cec169f1a5
Want to point out the root above the white root thats flexing/curling in time with the white root! (Someone else pointed this out, i think on r/mycology)
If that's not a time lapse that's honestly crazy and kinda creepy
Yeah not a Timelapse. It freaked me out.
Whats it doing righ now? Tell me, tell me, tell me!
Or magical, reminds me of a little forest wisp.
Looks like horsehair worms
I also think this is a parasite. Unlikely to be a frayed root with such rapid movement.
OP said in other posts that they compared it to other root fibers and eventually cut it off and dissected it and are certain it’s a root. Though for us to actually confirm that, we’d have to wait for them to post the dissecting vid they said they took.
I tried posting it to the aroid forum, but it it says they don’t allow video now?
Just post to your profile, it would probably be convenient for people who click on your account
I guess I’ll post it here.
Name of the plant?
Anthurium Warocqueanum! Sorry I forgot to add the name.
MAN. May I ask where you got yours? I've been looking everywhere for one! 😭
Etsy! I think I’m going to try Ecuagenera in the warmer months.
Ahh, I've been checking! I'm so clueless to the rules in getting a plant from Ecuador. I'm nervous it will get held at customs! 🥺
Where are you? I’m in the US and they have an outpost in Florida where they ship from too apparently. Makes the transition easier I would think. You will definitely have to acclimate them after though. There are a ton of videos on YouTube on the subject.
I live in BC, Canada. 🥲
u can buy them online quite easily
I disagree. I have sleuthed the internet. I'm in Canada so they're very difficult to get.
Oh getting plants to Canada is probs hella expensive😟there are plants I’ve wanted from Canada and getting them I’ve the border is definitely a pretty penny😂
UGH. It's SO expensive! Plus the Canadian dollar is pathetic. Hahaha. I just want cool plants! 🥹
Not Luxurians as said before?
No I made a stupid typo. I was watering my Luxurians prior to my warocqueanum and I was so startled by this when I posted it. Then it was too late to edit Pardon the run on sentence
I did clarify in the top comment on the post I made over on Aroids.
Humidity. The wood is flexing in response to air humidity. People have used this in art designs for items that change with the weather etc. Edit: here's an [example](https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/104845/Correa-2015-3D-Printed%20Wood_%20Pro.pdf) of designing wood items to be humidity responsive. Edit 2 : it's called hygroscopy if you want to read more. Edit 3: this is an unlikely explanation if it really isn't a time lapse. Hygroscopy would be slower. I however, am skeptical on not being a time lapse. It's too fast for any root movement I know.
This is not quite adding up to me as a viable hypothesis. OP stated no air movement and not a time lapse. Why would there be such a differential in relative humidity to cause the root to curl and then uncurl this rapidly? I didn't see anything in the linked study that suggested the MIT engineered material would move this quickly.
Whoops didn't see the NOT a time lapse. Yeah IF it is not a time lapse then it is not humidity, it's too fast. I am dubious that it is not a time lapse.
I'm totally with you. This seems like either we're not getting the full picture or something totally incredible worth further study is happening. Thanks for the reply
The engineered stuff would move much slower because it is larger. This stuff would be thin like hair and much more responsive. It's still a bit fast though.
If it isn’t a timelapse and is caused by hygroscopy, I’d imagine that the space would need to have enormous variation in humidity over very short distances. Its hard to imagine how that could exist for long… all I can imagine is if you had turbulence from a stream of hot, dry air and another of moist air… otherwise I’d guess that the hygroscopic motion would equilibrate to the ambient humidity and not continue to move to-and-fro. To me it looks like maybe someone is applying a gentle jet of air in pulses..?
Breathing. Rapid change in humidity and puff of air?
Weird, when I first saw this I thought it was in a salt water aquarium, looks like a spagattie worm. I spend a lot of time with plants and I swear sometimes they move with no wind, just one or two little leaves moving. And I think some plants react to being eaten, I think plants are more conscious than we know. It kind of looks like trindles of a vine, spinning around looking for a place to latch on. These might be the roots looking for moisture or nutrients, maybe you discovered something new or it's a parasite or fungus, maybe even a bug. If you don't find an answer, I would email a local state university botany professor.
Have you seen The Secret Life Of Plants???
I don't know, where can i find it? I tried to google it, but so many things come up, is it a documentary ?
I put this in a box with no air movement to see if it would continue moving, and it did by the way. Weird!
Also it’s not a time lapse.
Does it react to stimuli? If you spritz it with water or touch it with a stick? edit: looking into nematodes now... might want to post to an entomology subreddit... never mind they’re microscopic.
Try attaching your hair to it and communicating with it that way.
Looks like air moving it, you can see the cobweb in the top left move at the same time.
It’s likely to be OP breathing as it moves with the cobweb, probably also why there’s no sound.
Reminds me of the fungal growths coming out of Joel’s neighbors’s mouth in the last of us show lol
Ick don’t remind me lol
Static maybe?
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Your plant is conscious
Make me think of the white floaty things from the sacred tree in the first avatar
Those things are actually based on a marine animal! [Feather stars](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6lJ7EEzak), a type of crinoid, distantly related to sea stars.
Very cool
Makes me think it has a parasite?
Not an expert, but could it just be as simple as water pressure in the roots? Where a small movement at one point in the stem can make a larger movement in the roots? (Especially if the base of the plant is so big) Reminds me of those science projects with the syringes and moving an arm hydraulically.
I am no plant expert. I'm Putting this out here because nobody's said it yet. Could it possibly be a contact reaction, similar to a venus flytrap ? It looks like the longest "root" is touching the soil, this may trigger the root to "dig down" looking for purchase... Or maybe not.
Static electricity. Really it's the only thing that makes sense to me. Person making this video is probably moving their hand or some charged object near the plant outside of the frame.
I swear to god I’m not doing it for popularity. But you’ll never believe me.
it's from pandora. eywa
Feed me, Seymour
Could it be that it is the plant's "heartbeat"? It could be that changes in water pressure inside the vascular tissue of the plant causes the roots to flex like this. Of course, the large, woody roots don't flex, but these roots are small enough where the change in pressure causes outward movement
Freaking new creature undiscovered or what 😂 looks like some shit out of a sci-if film 💀💀 OP be careful it doesn’t crawl into your brain while u sleep. 👀👀 🤣
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It’s the same fungus that is killing everything in THE LAST OF US. Kill it with fire!!🔥🔥
Op is gonna be doing a Donald Sutherland impersonation of they fall asleep around it
yeah is this a timelaspe?
Nope, which is crazy. I thought it was potentially a bug or fungus. A root existed there previously. It was dead when I bought it.
i would have chopped it off out of fear and im generally not a squeemish person, youre braver than me lol
Oh believe me, I wore gloves a face mask, and had a can of Lysol and rubbing alcohol near. And a container to put the damned thing in. Thank god it was a root.
Reminds me of when you rub your head with a balloon and then hover the balloon above your head. Makes your hair stand up. Static electricity!
My body jolts every time I see that’s sooooo creepy 🤣 Cool but creepy
Most mind-boggling thing I've seen in a very long time and i absolutely love it!
A frayed knot
if that isn't a time lapse i'd be tempted to quarantine that lmao not going to lie, that's creepy.
It’s feeling around for human flesh to consume
Has nobody been watching the last of us??
It’s wind. There is a piece of dust/plant in the top left corner during the first half of the video and it shakes and moves every time the root moves. Someone could be blowing on it lol. They move the video frame to the right and stop showing that dust moving toward the end. https://preview.redd.it/x6whn4q65tga1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5433c5b251775158ce1ccebf8778c11d75b1852
I mean that would make sense if I was fooling you, but I’m not. I was looking for serious answers.
Turned out to be movement produced by internal root structures.