A plant hormone that promotes seed dormancy, stomatal closure during drought stress, and leaf abscission. Often called the 'stress hormone,' it helps plants survive adverse environmental conditions.
Named in 1967 for its role in abscission (leaf drop), from Latin 'abscissus' meaning cut off. Originally discovered as a factor promoting dormancy, it was later found to regulate the cutting off of leaves and other plant parts.
Abscisic acid is like a plant's emergency brake system - when conditions get tough, it slams on the brakes by closing stomata to save water, putting seeds to sleep until better times, and even telling leaves to drop off to reduce the plant's burden!
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