CATCH THE BUZZ – Can Plant Blindness Be Cured?

In a new review study, researchers examine why people, including conservationists, tend to be biased against plants, and if this bias can be challenged.

By Shreya Dasgupta, Pacific Standard Magazine

If shown a picture of lions on a tree, people are more likely to point out the lions, and ignore the tree. (Photo: Udayan Dasgupta). The same holds true with a honey bee on a flower.

If shown a picture of lions on a tree, people are more likely to point out the lions, and ignore the tree. (Photo: Udayan Dasgupta). The same holds true with a honey bee on a flower.

Tigers, elephants, and rhinoceroses garner a lot of attention. But plants are often ignored. In fact, scientists even have a term for our tendency to overlook plants — plant blindness.

For example, if shown a picture of a lion on a tree, people would be more likely to point out the lion, and ignore the tree. This bias against plants is widespread, and seriously limits conservation efforts, scientists say.

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