The Grove: A Novella — Jennifer Foehner Wells

Hain, a sentient plant creature, defies instinct and genetic imperative by holding herself separate from the planet-encompassing vegetative super-intelligence known as the Mother. Hain wants to explore the stars but when she finally encounters aliens, her destiny is forever changed.

This novelette was previously published in the anthology: The Alien Chronicles. It is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novella.