Much has been written about how some plant species can communicate with others of their kind by releasing pheromone-like chemicals into the air. Acacia plants in Africa will release a pheromone-like chemical in the air when they are being grazed upon by herbivores and the other acacias in the immediate surroundings will react to the chemical warning and produce a chemical within their sap that is toxic to grazing animals.

For example, it is well-documented that once a grazing gazelle starts chomping on an acacia, the gazelle has only a few minutes to continue grazing before all the other acacias in the immediate area have had a chance to produce a toxic chemical in their sap. After a short time grazing, the gazelle will need to move on to another area that didn't receive the airborne chemical warning.

Saguaro cacti in the desert southwest of the USA have developed a radically different tactic. A saguaro cactus needing to contact other saguaros within their vicinity spontaneously sprout heads at the crown of the cactus that are remarkably similar to a European Starling's head! What better bird head mimic could a saguaro cactus sprout? Starlings are noisy and incredibly loud and their voices carry for great distances. Not only that but I have actually witnessed, with my own myopic eyes, saguaro cacti sprout, at their crowns, entire Starling look-alikes that can be sent to communicate with other saguaro cacti at distances too great for even a Starling's obnoxious voice to carry!

I have searched the Internet, to no avail, for supporting evidence of this observed behavior. I have interviewed university botany professors who have, quite literally, laughed at me in my face for even asking about this odd Starling-mimicry. Well, I will have the last laugh! As you can see, I have the photographic evidence that proves it's true! And, "NO!!!", I gave up alcohol 10 years ago!