Sildenafil citrate, commonly known as the sexual performance drug Viagra, can prolong the life of cut flowers.
Viagra contains nitric oxide. In humans, nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a physiological change that’s otherwise… hard… to achieve. In plants, nitric oxide increases levels of a signaling molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP plays a critical role in plant stress responses; it helps control the gating of ion channels and regulates gene transcription.
Just 1 mg of Viagra can prolong the life of a vase of flowers by over a week. (The human dose is 50 mg!)
Seek botanical assistance if you have an erect spiderling (Boerhavia erecta) lasting more than four weeks.
Credit:
~All credit goes to Lily Hislop!~
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Also, a note: the featured image is a rose, not a peony.
Sources & Further Reading
Meier, S., Madeo, L., Ederli, L, Donaldson, L., Pasqualini, S., Gehring, C. 2009. Deciphering cGMP signatures and cGMP-dependent pathways in plant defense. Plant Signaling & Behavior 4.4: 307-309.
Siegel-Itzkovich, J. 1999. Viagra makes flowers stand up straight. BMJ 319.7205: 274.
PLANT HUMOR 