Plants have complex social relationships and can recognise their brothers and sisters, according to new research by Canadian scientists.
When planted in the same pot, plants from the same "mother" recognise each other and reduce competition for water and minerals by limiting root growth.
But when sharing a pot with strangers of the same species, they become competitive and grow more roots to suck up the nutrients faster, the researchers found.
Scientists are yet to fully understand how the plants actually recognise each other, but have proven the ability of plants to distinguish relatives and show preference towards them.
"The ability to recognise and favour kin is common in animals, but this is the first time it has been shown in plants," said Professor Susan Dudley, Associate Professor of Biology at McMaster University, Canada.
The study examined the behaviour of "sea rocket", a member of the mustard family found along beaches and sand dunes of North America.
Additional studies are being undertaken and initial results showed that at least two other species of plant display the same ability to recognise kin.
Scientists have known that plants can "see" their neighbours by sensing the changes in light wavelengths caused by the green pigment chlorophyll in nearby plant leaves.
Other studies have shown that plants respond to and recognise one another through the underground network of roots.
This, said Professor Dudley, inspired her to look at kinship and its relationship to competition between plants.
Gardeners may be interested in the findings, which suggest that sibling plants may get on better together.
But, concludes Professor Dudley: "The more we know about plants, the more complex their interactions seem to be, so it may be as hard to predict the outcome as when you mix different people at a party."
The research is published in the June issue of the journal Biology Letters.
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