Notes
nyctinasty /ˈnɪktɪˌnæstɪ/: 夜間反応現象
clover: クローバー;
droop うなだれる;
dandelions /ˈdændɪlaɪənz/: タンポポ;
red clover: 赤色のクローバー;
water lily: スイレン；
petals: 花びら;
feather duster; 羽毛のほうき;
resemble (…に)似ている;
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Some plants sleep at night. During the day, their leaves stand up straight, but at night they droop down as if they are sleeping. This is called nyctinasty, and it happens because of changes in light and temperature. Clover and dandelions are some plants that sleep. Scientists don’t know why plants sleep, but they think it helps them save energy and protect themselves from bad weather.
Now, let’s take a look at some plants that sleep. Red clover’s three small leaves close at night to indicate it’s “sleeping”. Water lilies open up when the sun comes out but close their petals when the sun sets, signaling that they’re going to “sleep”. When dandelions sleep, their petals stand upright, resembling a yellow feather duster from far away.
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