Mr Bean?

Every now and then, debate reoccurs about whether plants show sentience (self-awareness) or even intelligence. A study carried out by Paco Calvo at the University of Murcia in Spain used time-lapse photography, to study the 'behaviour' of 20 (a relatively small number) potted French bean plants (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/08/food-for-thought-french-bean-plants-show-signs-of-intent-say-scientists). 10 pots had a support pole but the other 10 lacked this item. The beans were filmed until the former plants had reached their pole. Dr Calvo regarded the different growth pattern of the category with the pole (the plants use tendrils to climb), as indicating 'anticipatory, goal-directed, flexible behaviour'. It was, as if they 'knew' there was a pole, and were looking for it. I would just say that having the ability to sense aspects of their environment (important to all organisms) doesn't mean that plants are thinking about it. They have nothing like a nervous system (a prerequisite for adaptive behavioural change in animals). The presence of the pole may simply produce changes in the lighting or air currents in its vicinity and the plant modifies its growth in response to these. Anyhow, if plants are really sentient, that produces serious problems for some vegans.