Many plants are known for their ability to track the movements of the sun by a process called solar tracking or heliotropism. Some plant species orient their leaves so they will be perpendicular to the sun's rays in the mornings and evenings to maximize photosynthesis, as the sunflower plant movie shows. The flowers of some plants also display solar tracking behavior. However, floral movements are not necessarily exhibited by the same plants that display leaf solar tracking. In addition, an innate circadian clock may contribute to activation of the tracking movements. Circadian movements may continue if the light cycle is interrupted, or the movements may initiate prior to dawn in apparent anticipation of sunrise.
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