Adaptation vs. Evolution

It is important to distinguish between the biology of adaptation and evolution.  Individuals can adapt to the growing conditions in their environment. A Mare’s Tail plant can control its growth to grow taller when neighboring plants are close.  Remove these neighbors and the same plant will grow more branches to take advantage of the space.  The plant adapts as a result of the genes it possesses that are expressed to control its growth. The genes in the plant’s possession are a consequence of the population’s evolution.