Chapter 1
The daily dance of heliotropism
Chapter 2
The internal clock and growth hormones
Chapter 3
Why follow the sun
Chapter 4
The global journey of the sunflower
YOUR GOAL
Master of How sunflowers follow the sun
Ch 1 · The daily dance of heliotropism
artiteacher The daily dance of heliotropism
East stem grows by day, pushes them westward, night swings them back!
artiteacher During the dark hours, sunflowers turn back to the east to prepare for dawn.
artiteacher Throughout the day, the flower heads gradually turn westward following the solar path.
BETA
artiteacher Tilt your stem toward the light to learn how sunflowers track the sun.
Fun Fact
Nighttime gymnastics: While we sleep, young sunflowers slowly turn 180 degrees back to the east to prepare for the morning sun.
Glossary
heliotropism (noun)
The diurnal or seasonal movement of plant parts in response to the direction of the sun. In 2016, UC Davis scientists discovered that circadian rhythms regulate this tracking by driving uneven stem growth.
The diurnal or seasonal movement of plant parts in response to the direction of the sun. In 2016, UC Davis scientists discovered that circadian rhythms regulate this tracking by driving uneven stem growth.
Quiz
Which university conducted the 2016 study using ink markers on sunflower stems?