Plant behaviour and intelligence

Summary: This book provides a convincing argument for the view that whole cells and whole plants growing in competitive wild conditions show aspects of plant behaviour that can be accurately described as 'intelligent'.

Record details

ISBN: 9780199539543 (hbk.)
ISBN: 0199539545 (hbk.)
Physical Description: print
xii, 291 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2014.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

A feeling for the organism -- Plant behaviour foundations -- The origins of photosynthesis : what are the salient characteristics of living systems? -- The origins of photosynthesis : the evolution of life and photosynthesis -- Why did plants become multicellular? -- Convergent evolution is common in plant systems -- Are angiosperms more complex than mammals? -- Plant behaviour : first intimations of self-organization -- The varieties of plant behaviour -- The self organizing plant : lessons from swarm intelligence -- Self-organization : cambium as the integration assessor -- Self-organizing capacity in leaf behaviour -- Self-organization and behaviour in root systems -- Self-organization in response to gravity -- Signals other than gravity -- Behavioural characteristics of seeds : elements of dormancy -- Games plants play -- Competition and cooperation between individual plants for mates and territory : the recognition of self -- The nature of intelligent behaviour : cognition or adaptation? -- Brains and nerve cells are not necessary for intelligent behaviour -- Intelligent genomes -- Cellular basis of intelligent behaviour -- Cell organization and protein networks -- Instinct, reflex, and conditioned behaviours : characteristics of plant behaviour? -- Intelligence and consciousness -- Intelligent foraging?