Sunflowers Follow The Sun

A recent study was conducted on sunflowers, showing the plant moves with the sun, a property called helioptropism. In order for sunflowers to get the most sunlight possible, they bend to match the arc of the sun. This is with the use of their internal clock and ability to detect sunlight. This is done by the turning on and off of genes that control growth. Stacy Harmer and Hagop Atamian studied Sunflower fields, pots, and growth chambers. They stopped the potted sunflowers from chasing the sun, and notices that they grew smaller that those who moved with the sun. They determined that at night the plants stem grows on the west side in order for them to face the east. During the day, the flower's stem grows on the east to make them face the west.