There is little evidence that plants have a centralized area in which to digest information and make decisions based on multiple inputs and outputs, and the book does not persuasively suggest how consciousness could arise without it. Planta Sapiens, however, contains a fascinating description of how plants interact with the environment in myriad ways..

Remarkable.

To his credit, Calvo — while freely admitting he was not trained as a plant scientist — cites articles by plant experts critical of his perspective. At the same time, though, he conveys a sense that naysayers are just not sufficiently open-minded to accept plant experience for what it is.

Proving that these behaviours are evidence of cognition, rather than being automatic reflex responses, albeit impressive ones, is a tough hurdle to clear and Calvo doesn’t quite make it over.

The central contention of Planta Sapiens is that plants are people.

Along with fascinating examples, Calvo devotes equal space to arguments with philosophers and fellow scientists over the meaning of intelligence.