Spoiler Nyctitropism is the tendency for certain plant organs, as leaves, to assume special "sleeping" positions or make curvatures under the influence of darkness. It is well illustrated in the leaflets of clover and other leguminous plants.
Spoiler Nictitropism is the movement of any plant part, leaves or flowers, due to light and darkness. Darwin wrote a whole book on this. I was not able to find any research on how the plants do this. Does anyone know?
Spoiler After the sun has set and the night animals begin to wander, certain plants just can't stay still. Some plants exhibit a nocturnal characteristic to move as the day gives way to the night. No, you are not about to find your rose bush has relocated to the other side of the yard but what you can observe are the movements of leaves. Certain plants raise and lower their leaves in response to the changing light conditions. It's called Nyctitropism. Jerry
