Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Although animals are dependent on a similar mechanism, plants are possible to take advantage of this mechanism in a more optimal way. This may explain why many plants can survive for hundreds of years, which is quite rare for the animals concerned. Any ideas about this?

A quick google search gives some informative results:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 143321.htm

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/361083

http://www.howplantswork.com/2013/12/29 ... -of-years/

Cheers,
Colin