Nicola Hutchinson, chief executive of Plantlife International, has urged the Bank of England to include plants and fungi on future banknotes, arguing that they are being overlooked in favour of animals.
Writing in response to a recent article about the Bank's plans to feature nature on banknotes, Hutchinson said it was 'striking' that 'one of nature’s most fundamental elements was overlooked'. She noted that if the exercise is about 'representing the underdog', then plants and fungi are 'the most obvious omission'.
'They underpin all life but continue to be sidelined – a reminder of how easily we ignore the very foundations of the natural world,' she wrote.
Hutchinson emphasised that native flora and fungi form 'the essential fabric of our ecosystems', shaping landscapes, sustaining animals and supporting environmental health. She called on the Bank of England to use its consultation as 'a genuine opportunity to bring these vital species into the spotlight'.
'Celebrating plants and fungi on our banknotes would not only recognise their immense value, but also inspire a deeper public appreciation for the living systems that sustain us all,' she added.
