Yes, Plants Sweat – And It’s Making Michigan’s Heat Waves Worse

As Jurassic Park taught us, "nature finds a way." It's the idea that species will evolve to stay alive. A notable example of this is homeostasis, the human body's ability to adjust and maintain internal temperature and oxygen levels. Humans sweat as a way to cool down, and shiver to stay warm.

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As it turns out, humans and animals aren't the only ones that "sweat" to cool down. Plants are also known to sweat, and while it sounds like a joke you'd hear in a cartoon, corn sweat is a very real thing that makes heat waves even more unbearable.

Corn Isn't The Only Plant Sweating

Despite its humorous name, corn sweat, or evapotranspiration, is a real phenomenon that occurs when there is excessive heat and humidity. Plants release water vapor from their leaves into the air in an attempt to "cool down", according to Michigan State University professor Bruno Basso. Going near a corn field during a heat wave like this (90°F+), you can physically feel the temperature/humidity difference in the air.

How Does This Affect Michigan?

This can raise temperatures by up to 15 degrees and lead to an increase in summer thunderstorms. While corn is the subject of the name, plants like alfalfa, sugarcane, and soybeans are known to release more water.

READ MORE: Michigan’s Hottest Days So Far, From March to July |

However, "corn sweat" does not affect Michigan as much as it does other states that grow more plants and have consistently hot temperatures, such as those in the southern United States.