Opinion

Anyone who knows me is aware I will get on my soapbox from time to time and lament the way our culture and education systems in North America treat Botany. We give so much time to Biology, Zoology and Geology but the very science that feeds us and fuels us is too frequently left out.

My granddaughter, studying Agrology at university sent me an article about this very subject today because she knew it was so close to my heart. It is from Plants People Planet August2020. “Plant Awareness Disparity: A case for renaming Plant Blindness”. By Kathryn M. Parsley. (What an appropriate name, Ms. Parsley).

 What I did not know is that  is that this disparity actually had a name of, ‘Plant Blindness’ and the author was making a case to change what we call it to, ‘Plant Awareness Disparity.’

The article analyzed and alluded to many reasons for why plants do not get the attention they deserve and are owed. From ‘where they sit in our field of vision’ to how their perception is one of, ‘they appear to be lacking in interest’, to ‘animals are more exciting’ to ‘plants all look the same’ to ‘plants provide a backdrop of green’.

 I have my own theory and it relates to my upbringing. I was raised by farmers and gardeners. I came by my love of plants naturally.  During the Industrial Revolution, many people moved from the land into cities and earned their living through manufacturing. Houses were often terraced, small and with tiny yards, not gardens. Yes, the better off had larger homes and gardens but employment became predominately in industrial fields. Food appeared in the shops and supermarkets as if by magic from the fewer and fewer who farmed the land.  The same is true today. Most people do notice differences in plants because they know the difference between an Iceburg lettuce and a Romaine. The fact that many people cannot differentiate between a Maple Tree or an Elm Tree is because they do not have to or need to.  

Most people reading this article are gardeners and will likely relate to those who don’t know and really don’t care to know the difference between an Iris and a Lily. They may think a blue flower on a long stem is Lavender, when it could be one of many different plants. This knowledge has no consequence or meaning in their lives so why should they know. If you talk to people about how poplars are united beneath ground and how they feed and look after one another, many will look at you in disbelief. This is just how our societies have evolved. We don’t need to know. I often wonder if the connection between gasoline and plants is made by some. Without plants we would not have gasoline or coal or LNG.

We depend on plants as we depend on water. I really don’t care what we call this disparity in our knowledge but I do believe it needs to be mended. I believe plants deserve the same attention in education and our lives as animals.

It is encouraging to see a rise in outdoor education. Many schools in my province of B.C. now make it part of their curriculum. Forestry is taught to some in the more senior grades but I don’t believe botany carries the same weight as biology in the science curriculum. Please correct me if I am wrong. In my youth I was discouraged from following a career in plants. Girls, ’didn’t do that.’ I was lucky in being able to study Environmental Science however which satisfied me at the time.

I looked up the definition of Outdoor Education and the word ‘Plant’ was not mentioned once! I do know however that those with plant knowledge will implement plant identification and how plants are integral to our survival. There are teachers who now implement some growing skills into their classroom practices, which is terrific. It is not easy to do from a classroom.

in 2006 while designing his own garden, artist Robert Batemen is quoted as saying, “It is alarming that while most North American children have no problem identifying about 100 corporate logos, they cannot identify 10 different kinds of trees, birds or insects in their neighbourhoods.” ( Steve Whysall, Can West News Service)

I would love to hear your opinions on this subject, whether you agree or disagree and some solutions. You can submit anonymously to zonethreegardenlife.blog