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Questions and Answers: 2016

Question: Ok so my first question is not a species question but a general plant biology question; what function does acetylsalicylic …

• Question

  Ok so my first question is not a species question but a general plant biology question; what function does acetylsalicylic acid serve in trees? I mean for the trees themselves. Thank you, Aaron

  Answer

  AKstephens, plants do not have acetylsalicylic acid, that is the form found in aspirin. What plants do have is phenolic glycosides like salicin and populin. These are bitter compounds used by the plant in defense against herbivores (such as leaf-eating insects). Some beetle larvae consume plants (like willow) that are rich in salicin and concentrate it in their tissues to avoid being consumed by insect predators. There is also salicylic acid, which is a plant hormone that helps regulate growth and development. Best wishes.