Intertwined roots and neural networks symbolizing plant biology and innovation.

Nature's Blueprint: How Plant Biology is Inspiring Scientific Innovation

Nico Varela in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover why botany is not just for botanists—physicists are finding surprising inspiration in the plant kingdom."

In 1981, Karl Niklas, a botanist at Cornell University, achieved unexpected fame. His experiment using a wind tunnel to determine the pollination methods of ancient plants, published in Science, garnered widespread attention. Niklas's quantitative approach, though seemingly simple, challenged traditional views and highlighted the structural complexity of plants.

Niklas's methods stand out in the field of plant biology, where 'wet' labs and traditional experiments are the norm. His reliance on mathematical tools and physics equipment is sometimes met with skepticism. However, his extensive work, detailed in the 2012 book 'Plant Physics,' underscores the mutual benefits of integrating physics and botany.

Retiring after 40 years at Cornell, Niklas, now 70, has consistently emphasized the structural nature of plants. Unlike animals with bones and muscles, plants are 'big bags of chemicals' structured to manage light, gravity, and water absorption. This perspective suggests that mathematics can offer unique insights into plant biology.

Unlocking Plant Secrets: How Physics is Transforming Botany

Intertwined roots and neural networks symbolizing plant biology and innovation.

Niklas's journey into plant biology began with a mathematics background from the City College of New York. Transitioning to the University of Illinois, he studied plants as part of a paleobiology program. This interdisciplinary approach allowed him to view plants through a unique lens, focusing on their structural properties.

For his PhD thesis, Niklas developed a computer model simulating cell division in ancient plant matter. This model demonstrated that what were thought to be separate algae species were, in fact, different growth stages of the same species. Arriving at Cornell in 1978, he started his innovative work on pollination.

Wind Pollination Studies: Niklas built models of ancient seeds and plants, using wind tunnels and stroboscopes to study airborne spores. This research demonstrated how seed architecture evolved to enhance wind pollination efficiency.
Mechanical Property Measurement: Niklas measured the mechanical properties of living plants using an Instron device. This device, typically used in engineering, allowed him to assess the elastic moduli of plant parts with great precision.
Tomato Cuticle Research: Collaborating with a graduate student from Spain, Niklas studied the elastic stretching properties of tomato cuticles to solve cracking issues. This research had significant economic implications, helping Spanish farmers reduce losses from cracked tomatoes.

In the mid-1990s, Niklas collaborated with Hanns-Christof Spatz, a physicist who had transitioned to biology. Together, they explored how physics principles could be applied to plant biology. This collaboration culminated in their co-authored book, 'Plant Physics,' which uses plants to illustrate fundamental physics concepts.

The Enduring Relevance of Plant Physics

Niklas and Spatz's work, along with historical contributions from scientists like Galileo and Simon Schwendener, highlights the enduring value of studying plants through a physics lens. By understanding plant dynamics, scientists gain insights into broader biological and physical principles, addressing complex challenges such as viscoelasticity. As Niklas concludes, physics helps us understand why organisms 'work'—or adapt—by testing organisms' survival and adaptation.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/2058-7058/31/4/25, Alternate LINK

Title: A Flowering Success

Subject: General Physics and Astronomy

Journal: Physics World

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: Robert P Crease

Published: 2018-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

How did Karl Niklas use wind tunnels in his research, and what made this approach unique in the field of plant biology?

Karl Niklas, a botanist, utilized a wind tunnel to analyze the pollination methods of ancient plants. By creating models of seeds and plants, he used the wind tunnel and stroboscopes to observe airborne spores, revealing how seed structure evolved to improve wind pollination effectiveness. This method stood out because, unlike typical 'wet' lab experiments in plant biology, he employed mathematical tools and physics equipment.

What did Karl Niklas's collaboration with Hanns-Christof Spatz reveal about applying physics to plant biology, and how does this connect to broader scientific history?

Karl Niklas, in collaboration with Hanns-Christof Spatz, demonstrated how physics principles could be used in plant biology, culminating in their co-authored book, 'Plant Physics.' This work builds upon historical contributions, such as those from Galileo and Simon Schwendener, underscoring the enduring importance of examining plants using physics to understand fundamental biological and physical concepts.

What specific instruments did Karl Niklas use to measure plant properties, and how did this benefit agricultural practices?

Karl Niklas used an Instron device, traditionally used in engineering, to measure the mechanical characteristics of living plants. This allowed him to precisely measure the elastic moduli of plant parts. Additionally, he studied the elastic stretching properties of tomato cuticles in collaboration with a graduate student to address cracking problems, which had considerable economic implications for Spanish farmers by minimizing tomato losses.

What are the broader implications of Karl Niklas's research in plant physics for understanding complex challenges in biology and physics?

Karl Niklas's work has implications for addressing complex challenges, such as viscoelasticity, by offering insights into broader biological and physical principles through understanding plant dynamics. His use of physics helps us understand how organisms 'work' or adapt by assessing their survival and adaptation strategies, showcasing the broader applicability of plant biology in understanding fundamental scientific concepts.

How does Karl Niklas describe the fundamental structural differences between plants and animals, and why is this important for understanding plant biology?

Unlike animals that depend on bones and muscles for structure, plants, as Karl Niklas describes, are essentially 'big bags of chemicals' specifically structured to handle light, gravity, and water absorption. This unique construction suggests that mathematical and physical models can provide invaluable insights into plant biology, because they directly address the physical forces influencing plant structure and function.