What Are the Plants That Walk Towards Water in Rango?

It's easy to imagine that plants are stationary creatures, but there are a few that have the ability to move, albeit very slowly. One of the most fascinating examples of these plants can be found in the movie "Rango". In the film, we see a group of plants that slowly move towards water. But what are these plants and how do they do it?

Introducing the Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum

The plant that is featured in the movie "Rango" is called the mesembryanthemum crystallinum, also known as the ice plant. This plant is native to Africa and has adapted to survive in arid environments. The ice plant is a succulent, meaning that it stores water in its leaves and stems, allowing it to survive for long periods without rain.

How the Ice Plant Moves

The ice plant moves using a process called hygroscopy. When the plant detects moisture in the air, it absorbs it and swells up. As it swells, the ice plant becomes heavier and begins to tilt towards the source of moisture. This movement is very slow, with the ice plant only moving a few centimeters or millimeters per day. However, over a long period of time, this movement can add up, and the ice plant can move several meters towards water.

Why the Ice Plant Moves

The ice plant moves towards water in order to survive. When it rains, the ice plant absorbs as much water as possible and stores it in its leaves and stems. As the ground dries up, the ice plant uses the stored water to survive. However, if the ice plant is too far away from a water source, it will eventually run out of water and die. By slowly moving towards water, the ice plant can ensure that it always has access to a fresh supply of water.

Other Moving Plants

While the ice plant is one of the most well-known moving plants, it is not the only one. There are a few other examples of plants that can move, including:

The telegraph plant: This plant is named after its ability to move its leaves in response to changes in temperature and humidity, which gives it a telegraph-like appearance.

The Venus flytrap: This plant is famous for its ability to trap insects by snapping its leaves shut. While it doesn't move much, it does exhibit some limited movement.

The sunflower: While the sunflower may not be able to move much, it does exhibit some sun-tracking behavior. This means that the sunflower will move its head to follow the path of the sun across the sky, which helps it to get more sunlight and grow more efficiently.

The Fascinating World of Moving Plants

While the ice plant may be one of the most impressive moving plants, there are many other fascinating examples out there. From the telegraph plant's telegraph-like movements to the Venus flytrap's insect-trapping abilities, plants are full of surprises. So the next time you see a still plant in your garden, remember that there may be more going on beneath the surface than you realize.