From David Gunderlach:

Re: Researchers trace origin of an “altruism gene” (May 29, 2006): it is quite inspirenig to talk about think about an altruistic gene. But I never heard that a plant desided to act in an altruistic way. In my eyes has altruism something to do with the free will of human beings. That’s why I would rather not use the word altruism in connection to a biological process of a plant.

David Gunderlach
(Student/psychology/OpenUniversity GB)