And yet, it has proven to be an adaptation that has greatly increased their success as a species. In the end, it doesn’t matter to the plant whether it is eaten or not as long as it gets to reproduce - and we’ve spread it around the world.
nicotine in plants are poisonous to people too, because it has high enough concentration, it developed as a defense against caterpillars, which some bugs have evolved resistance. another one is aristholcia, some species are so toxic that a different butterfly not adapted to it will die eating it, even if the caterpillar is adapted to another type of the flower.
I love chilli’s for this. They’ve developed spiciness to discourage getting eaten. We made an entire fucking menu out of it.
And yet, it has proven to be an adaptation that has greatly increased their success as a species. In the end, it doesn’t matter to the plant whether it is eaten or not as long as it gets to reproduce - and we’ve spread it around the world.
See also caffeine.
and nicotine and cocaine
nicotine in plants are poisonous to people too, because it has high enough concentration, it developed as a defense against caterpillars, which some bugs have evolved resistance. another one is aristholcia, some species are so toxic that a different butterfly not adapted to it will die eating it, even if the caterpillar is adapted to another type of the flower.
Thought you meant the restaurant at first