Plants constitute about 80% of the Earth's biomass and are essential to ecosystems, providing shelter, oxygen, and food for humans and animals.
However, many people overlook plants and this phenomenon is known as "plant blindness."
This term refers to the tendency to ignore and undervalue plants, despite their critical role in our survival.
Due to plant blindness, people often prioritize animals over plants, resulting in limited conservation efforts for flora.
This issue also contributes to a shortage of research and education in plant science, which is concerning given the importance of plant research in advancing medicine and agriculture.
Plant blindness is caused by limited exposure to nature and the misconception that plants are less alive than animals.
Urbanization, which reduces the presence of flora in daily environments, exacerbates the problem.
Increasing exposure to biodiverse settings and shifting perceptions of plant value can help address this issue.