ABSTRACT
Plants are an integral part of our world. They cover open ground and are used by humans, for food, the construction of furniture, and as a supply of fuel. They are regarded as aesthetically pleasing and cultivated for pleasure. They are given as tokens of affection and empathy on significant occasions. Children usually notice plants as a background to other objects of interest such as moving animals. If children see specimens of plants such as flowers, then they are likely to label them at an early stage, however, if they are not part of the usual scenery of their everyday lives they may exhibit ‘plant blindness’. Plants are usually the background for more interesting living things – animals. In this chapter, the earliest understanding of plants and fungi is considered from research undertaken with young children.
