Plant roots absorbing and transforming umbelliferone into scopoletin and esculin.

Can Plants Absorb and Modify Compounds from Other Plants?

Jordan Keane in Science & Nature September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unveiling the Secrets of Horizontal Natural Product Transfer and What It Means for Plant Ecology"

Plants are constantly interacting with their environment, and as such, they are exposed to a variety of chemicals. Scientists used to focus on how plants absorbed man-made chemicals, called xenobiotics. However, recent discoveries have shown that plants can also take up natural compounds from other plants, a phenomenon known as 'horizontal natural product transfer.' This discovery challenges traditional views of plant biology and opens new avenues for understanding plant interactions and ecological processes.

When plants break down, they release chemicals into the surrounding environment. This includes a wide range of natural compounds, some of which are absorbed by nearby plants. Scientists are beginning to explore this process, recognizing that it could play a significant role in plant ecology.

This article dives into a study that explores how plants absorb and change a specific natural compound called umbelliferone. By understanding this process, we can gain insights into how plants interact with their environment and how horizontal natural product transfer may affect plant communities.

Umbelliferone Uptake: A Deep Dive into Plant Absorption

Plant roots absorbing and transforming umbelliferone into scopoletin and esculin.

In a recent study, researchers investigated how different types of seedlings absorb umbelliferone. They cultivated barley, radish, pea, flax, and garden cress in hydroponic solutions containing the compound. Researchers then analyzed the plant tissues to check for the presence of umbelliferone.

The results were remarkable. All five plant species absorbed umbelliferone from the solution. This showed that a wide variety of plants can take up this compound from their environment. But it wasn't just about absorption. The plants also started modifying the compound, as seen in garden cress.

All five plant species absorbed umbelliferone from the hydroponic solution.
The results indicate that a variety of plants can uptake umbelliferone.
Garden cress was seen to modify the compound.

Interestingly, the plants that naturally produce coumarins, like barley and garden cress, modified the umbelliferone they absorbed. Garden cress transformed it into esculin, while barley converted it into scopoletin. These changes suggest that plants have mechanisms to process and adapt to the compounds they absorb from their surroundings.

The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for Plant Life?

This study provides compelling evidence that plants can absorb and modify compounds from their environment. This means the traditional definition of xenobiotics is too restrictive. This discovery opens new doors to understanding how plants interact with each other and their surroundings. It also challenges us to rethink the complexity of plant communities and the chemical signals that shape them. Further research will reveal the ecological significance of these interactions.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is 'horizontal natural product transfer' and how does it change our understanding of plants?

'Horizontal natural product transfer' is the process where plants absorb natural compounds from other plants in their environment. It challenges the traditional view that plants only interact with man-made chemicals, called xenobiotics. This discovery broadens our understanding of plant biology and plant ecology, highlighting that plants are not isolated entities but are engaged in complex chemical exchanges within their communities.

Which plants were tested for umbelliferone absorption, and what were the key findings?

Researchers tested barley, radish, pea, flax, and garden cress. All five species absorbed umbelliferone from the hydroponic solutions. Furthermore, garden cress modified umbelliferone into esculin, and barley converted it into scopoletin. These results suggest that plants not only absorb compounds but also actively metabolize them.

How does the study on umbelliferone uptake demonstrate the process of compound modification in plants?

The study showed that certain plants, like garden cress, transformed umbelliferone into other compounds, in this case, esculin. Also, barley changed umbelliferone into scopoletin. This demonstrates that plants are not just passively absorbing compounds but are actively modifying them through their metabolic processes. The ability of plants to modify absorbed compounds, is a key aspect of horizontal natural product transfer, showing their ability to adapt to their chemical environment.

What is the significance of the discovery of horizontal natural product transfer for plant ecology and community interactions?

The discovery of 'horizontal natural product transfer' implies that plant communities are more interconnected than previously thought. It suggests that chemical signals, such as umbelliferone, can influence the interactions between different plant species. This could affect the distribution of plant species, their growth, and their resistance to stresses. It encourages us to reconsider plant communities as dynamic systems driven by complex chemical communications.

What are the implications of plants absorbing and modifying compounds like umbelliferone, and how does it relate to xenobiotics?

The ability of plants to absorb and modify compounds, such as umbelliferone, means the traditional definition of xenobiotics needs to be revised. This also helps us to understand how plants respond to both natural and man-made chemicals in their environment. This opens avenues for understanding how plants interact with their surroundings and how plant communities function. It prompts more research into the ecological role of these chemical exchanges, and how this might be impacted by environmental changes.