Includes bibliographical references and index.

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?

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'. --