THE place of the planet in evolution has often been neglected, but now David Beerling shows just why plants should hold centre stage.

Looking into the distant past and tapping into disciplines such as botany, paleontology and climatology, he demonstrates just what a vital part in the development of the earth plants have played and warns that humans will have to learn how to co-operate with plants if we are to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

Plants have made our planet what it is - we ignore them at our peril.