Botany and plant sciences Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"A monumental work by any standards, representing the combined knowledge and experience of renowned experts from across Europe. . . . A comprehensive catalogue of species, with beautiful full colour illustrations, sketches, diagrams and maps, is nothing short of breathtaking in its coverage."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels With Birds"A MUST-HAVE for anyone with a serious interest in aquatic plants of the region!"---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report

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Book SynopsisA fully illustrated and authoritative guide to herbology by Catherine Conway-Payne, the Course Director for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Herbology diploma. A full guide to numerous herbology recipes, best practise and history. Organised by season. Fully illustrated with both photography and artwork showing plants in the wild and the end results of numerous recipes.

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Book SynopsisA resource for Steiner-Waldorf teachers for botany, Classes 5 and 6 (age 10-12).Trade Review'I always find Charles Kovacs' books such a joy to read; they are so information and never fail to demonstrate a new way of looking at things. I recommend this book to both teachers and parents as a sensitive and thoughtfully presented introduction to botany for children.'-- Rosemary Usselman, New View, Spring 2006

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Book SynopsisMosses have a spectacular diversity of beautiful and surprising forms. They are nearly always, what we as humans would consider, small; but they play a critical role in climate change prevention and have an ability to hold and control water in forests, uplands and valleys. Hidden World of Mosses explores the tiny, intriguing environments of these plants that have their own miniature forests filled with grazers and predators, and their own ecological norms and mechanics.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of plant life on Earth, retold through a remarkable record of spectacular fossils. Palaeobotanist Paul Kenrick explains the importance of each fossil and how it marks a crucial inflection point in plant evolution. Each discovery is illustrated with photography featuring original specimens from the Natural History Museum, London.Trade Review'Fascinating... scientifically detailed, yet accessible' Nature; 'The Natural History Museum in London is known for publishing excellent books and this is another tour de force to add to its catalogue... an extremely readable and well-illustrated book that is pretty enough to be a ‘coffee table’ book, but also sufficiently informative to be an academic text.' The Biologist

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times BestsellerA new, fully updated narrative edition of David Attenborough's seminal biography of our world, The Living Planet.Nowhere on our planet is devoid of life. Plants and animals thrive or survive within every extreme of climate and habitat that it offers. Single species, and often whole communities adapt to make the most of ice cap and tundra, forest and plain, desert, ocean and volcano. These adaptations can be truly extraordinary: fish that walk or lay eggs on leaves in mid-air; snakes that fly; flightless birds that graze like deer; and bears that grow hair on the soles of their feet.In The Living Planet, David Attenborough's searching eye, unfailing curiosity and infectious enthusiasm explain and illuminate the intricate lives of the these colonies, from the lonely heights of the Himalayas to the wild creatures that have established themselves in the most recent of environments, the city. By the end of this book it is difficult to say which is the more astonishing the ingenuity with which individual species contrive a living, or the complexity of their interdependence on each other and on the habitations provided by our planet.In this new edition, the author, with the help of zoologist Matthew Cobb, has added all the most up-to-date discoveries of ecology and biology, as well as a full-colour 64-page photography section. He also addresses the urgent issues facing our living planet: climate change, pollution and mass extinction of species.Trade ReviewPraise for the New Edition of Life on Earth: ‘It does not disappoint. The new Life on Earth is as glorious as the first’ Guardian ‘A beautiful and wide ranging work. The breadth of natural history covered is extraordinary and mesmerising. Life on Earth is still breathtakingly rich, and we would know far less about it were it not for Attenborough’s wonderful skills of communication over the years: our cultural and scientific lives would be poorer without him’ New Scientist ‘This natural history masterpiece offers a spectacular snapshot of a once-wild planet’ New Scientist Praise for David Attenborough: ‘A marvellous book … unputdownable … utterly engaging’ Telegraph ‘An elegant and gently funny writer’ The Times ‘His writing is as impressive and as enjoyable as his TV programmes and there can be no higher praise’ Daily Express ‘A great educator as well as a great naturalist’ Barack Obama ‘Sir David is a wizard of television, and, like Gandalf or Dumbledore, he has a near-magical gift for combining warmth and gravitas . . . the man who, for me, exemplifies the best in British broadcasting’ Louis Theroux ‘When I was a young boy I used to love turning on the television and watching David's programmes and really feeling like I was either back out in Africa or I was learning about something magical and almost out of this planet’ HRH Prince William

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Book SynopsisFind edible wild plants in this seasonal foraging guide for beginnersA friendly, honest guide for wary would-be foragersOnly plants that are easy to find, easy to identify and tastyClear photographic guides to the speciesWe all love the idea of foraging as a way of being connected to nature and discovering new tastes. But in reality, most of us are very wary, and sometimes a bit underwhelmed when we do try. What's needed is this totally honest, safety-first guide for softy first-time foragers. This book concentrates on 40 plants that are easy to identify and worth the effort plants that are tasty and abundant in the wild or in gardens and parks. There are simple recipes to try as well. This isn't an armchair guide for people dreaming of being Ray Mears or Bear Grylls. It's for everyday people who lives in towns and suburbs as well as the countryside, and who want to get a little closer to nature and discover new tastes, without stress.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of plants with a book that revels in the diversity of the botanical world.Plants are truly awe-inspiring. They can be vast, minute, smelly, or spectacularly ugly. Some plants live on their own, or by growing off others; some live by air and water; others are carnivorous, eating the creatures around them; some plants look remarkably like animals; while others have unusual symbolism; and some have special cultural significance. This book explores them all, bringing together the most peculiar and most fascinating plants on the planet - celebrating them in all their diverse splendour.Split into five chapters, covering everything from poisonous plants to painkilling ones, Michael Perry explains exactly what makes each plant special. With exquisitely detailed illustrations of all the different species, this is an informative, humorous, and beautiful gift for all those who love plants - whether they want to grow them orTrade ReviewIt is just absolutely fabulous, and I'm sure it'll be on many people's Christmas lists. * BBC Radio Suffolk *

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Book SynopsisThis field guide will enable the indentification of a range of invasive plants and animals now found in Britain,

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Book SynopsisAn inspirational and beautifully illustrated book that tells the stories of 80 plants from around the globe.In his follow-up to the bestselling Around the World in 80 Trees, Jonathan Drori takes another trip across the globe, bringing to life the science of plants by revealing how their worlds are intricately entwined with our own history, culture and folklore. From the seemingly familiar tomato and dandelion to the eerie mandrake and Spanish 'moss' of Louisiana, each of these stories is full of surprises. Some have a troubling past, while others have ignited human creativity or enabled whole civilizations to flourish. With a colourful cast of characters all brought to life by illustrator Lucille Clerc, this is a botanical journey of beauty and brilliance.'A beautiful celebration of the plants and flowers that surround us and a quiet call to arms for change' The Herald'This charming and beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a voyage of discovery, exploring the many ingenious and surprising uses for plants in modern science and throughout history' Kew Magazine'With beautiful illustrations from Lucille Clerc, this captivating book traverses the globe via plants: nettles in England, mangoes in India and tulips in the Netherlands' Daily MailTrade ReviewThis charming and beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a voyage of discovery, exploring the many ingenious and surprising uses for plants in modern science and throughout history * Kew magazine *Who knew that the milky sap from dandelions is similar to that of rubber trees, so much so that, in the 1930s, 260 square miles of Eastern Europe were dedicated to growing Russian dandelions successfully to produce rubber until the end of the Second World War? Or did you know that Cook pine trees tilt towards the equator? These are only two fascinating facts from a book packed with similar gems -- Tiffany Daneff * Country Life *A fun and fascinating read, combining science, culture, botany and travel writing * Flower Arranger *With beautiful illustrations from Lucille Clerc, this captivating book traverses the globe via plants: nettles in England, mangoes in India and tulips in the Netherlands -- Ciara Dossett * Daily Mail *A trustee of the Eden Project, his knowledge is encyclopaedic, but it is the combination of science and storytelling that makes his book stand out... With Drori's evocative prose and Lucille Clerc's exquisite illustrations, this is a book to treasure -- Juanita Coulson * The Lady *AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PLANTS by Jonathan Drori is a brilliant and - thanks to Lucille Clerc - a beautiful book. It's an excellent companion to the same author's AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TREES. Everybody who has the slightest interest in plants - and people - and wonders why we need to conserve botanical biodiversity should read this book -- Nigel Chaffey * Botany.one *The book is lively, entertaining and educational and the author's personal comments and witty asides, often made me laugh out loud. It is a credit to his skill and dedication that every fact-filled sentence is rich in information about each chosen plant, be it ethnobotanical, economic, folklore, myth, history, religion, culinary or etymology - not a word is wasted... Lucille Clerc's astonishingly beautiful, vibrantly coloured illustrations are an absolute delight, summing up the key points about each plant perfectly - you will find humour in these too... It would make a fabulous gift, yet contains enough facts to be of benefit to students of plant sciences, it is also a must have for anyone who guides at a public garden or has an interest in the relationship between plants and people in the past, present and future -- Matthew Biggs * Gardens Illustrated *A beautiful celebration of the plants and flowers that surround us and a quiet call to arms for change * The Herald, Portfolio *With its fascinating blend of the cultural, historic and scientific, Jonathan Drori's AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TREES led readers on a global tour telling the stories of people and plants. Now, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PLANTS (Laurence King £20) reprises the winning formula with a botanical travelogue ranging from the edible - tomato, vanilla, cacao, artichoke - to the religious - myrrh, lotus - and species such as the opium poppy or sugar cane which have dominated whole economies -- Bridget Galton * Ham & High *[Jonathan Drori] comes to this book with a lifetime of experience and a passion for talking about - and encouraging the preservation of - plants, trees, insects and birds. He brings with him a cheerfully wry sense of humour and a wonderful way of explaining to the previously ignorant the golden nuggets of fact, the "did you knows?" that make the book such fun to read -- Jenni Fraser * Jewish Chronicle *Packed with insights, this is a book to treasure * Saga magazine *Beautifully illustrated by Lucille Clerc, the book is crammed with great stories. It will appeal not just to gardeners, but to anyone interested in the natural world and the ingenious means by which our ancestors adapted the plants around them for food, clothing, shelter, recreation and artistry * The Herald *A terrifically opinionated guide to a selection of world plants and their place in culture. Our author travels the globe via plants, like a plantsman Phineas Fogg, from Nettle and Mistletoe here to Saffron crocus and mandrake in Southern Europe to damask rose in South Asia to vanilla in Africa. Each is illustrated with panache by Lucille Clere. It's one to browse, and a source of fun facts. Did you know that nutmeg in excess has hallucinogenic effects? Apparently Malcolm X used nutmeg in jail for a high; it was banned in prisons in the US to avoid misuse. Or that myrrh was used in Biblical times for an antiseptic mouthwash as well as for incense and that the body of Admiral Nelson was preserved in myrrh-infused brandy to bring back to England (which the crew is said to have drunk in his honour)? There's lots like this -- Melanie McDonagh * Evening Standard *Monty Don describes Around the World in 80 Plants as 'A delightful book that informs and charms in equal measure' - a brilliant way to sum up a book written by someone with deep scientific knowledge, rather than where information is simply lifted from websites. As you turn the pages, facts illuminate, titillate and inform. I kept saying to myself 'I didn't know that' and was thrilled by my new knowledge. Jonathan Drori writes with passion, gentle humour and command of the subject... anyone interested in the plant world would find it of great interest. The illustrations by Lucille Clerc completment the worlds beautifully * Flora magazine *If you read extensively on many subjects, then here's another fascinating book to add to your collection - you'll love this one. Not only is it beautifully written and superbly illustrated, but it's also informative and fun. And there's a lot to delve into, depending on your moods. Maybe you'll just want to read up on one of the 80 plants or at other times get stuck into a geographic section. Or perhaps you'll opt for the culinary tips, sometimes the medicinal uses or very often the history. In this, Jonathan Drori has written another remarkable book and distilled fascinating content into each two-page exposé... you'll both learn from and enjoy this colourful introduction to the world of wild plants. * Plant Life magazine *The stories from "the riotous and often bizarre plant world" have the power to "intertwine science with history and culture" and that's exactly what Jonathan Drori does in this world-tour cornucopia of growing things. His scientific knowledge of plants is extensive but he wears it lightly as he writes passionately about intoxicants such as absinthe and cannabis, flavourings such as the misunderstood vanilla, and the imaginative and constant search for aphrodisiacs. If you think you know about the humble potato (Drori's paragraph on our Great Famine is admirably balanced) or tomato or nettle or dandelion, you'll learn still more here, while also learning about exotica such as mandrake and carnivorous plants. The book is beautifully illustrated and a must for anyone interested in the world around them -- Brian Maye * Irish Times *It's fair to say that Jonathan Drori, who has spent his life involved with plants and is now a member of the Council of Ambassadors of WWF and The Woodland Trust, has a real place in his hear for the simple and overlooked... Drori describes plants almost lovingly, allowing space for their beauty and ingenuity. Take this particularly appealing description of the nutmeg plant: 'Girdling the shiny nut is a succulent, lacy layer, an utterly sensual blood-red aril, or seed covering, which is itself surrounded by a fleshy husk.' Such descriptions are complemented throughout by drawings of each plant from illustrator Lucille Clerc; combined, they make for a beautiful book that can easily be dipped in and out of as the fancy takes you -- Katie Burton * Geographical *Structured by continent, this book guides the reader around the world, dipping into the stories of the tiny, the towering, the parasitic and the submarine... Helping to paint the picture of not just what each plant looks like, but how it is used, where it sits in the landscape and how it interacts with wildlife, are Lucille Clerc's beautiful illustrations. From the unfurling leaves of the silver tree fern to the colours and impossible shapes of some unique and strange-looking orchids, these drawings add yet another layer of delight... As with much of the natural world, the more one learns about the individual plant species and the stories that tell of our interactions with them-whether positive or negative-the more intriguing they become. Around the World in 80 Plants makes me want to find out yet more about the plants that are so often overlooked as a green background, or seen merely as scenery to frame the animals, yet are vital for supporting life on Earth. As this book so wonderfully shows, they are more than life-support machines: they provide colour, flavour and magic to our everyday lives, and we need to learn to appreciate them * Oryx *

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Book SynopsisThe plant world has always been appreciated for its visual appeal, but its true beauty can be revealed when you look under the electron microscope. This collection unearths some of the most wonderful microscopic images of flowers, trees and grasses ever created, now made possible by technology. We get to see the wonder of pollen, seeds, petals, algae and leaves. The images are as beautiful as any art. This stunning collection of images can be enjoyed purely as a visual voyage but also as a way to understand more of the science behind the image. Whether it's the work of a lavender leaf oil gland, the inside of a pine pollen, flower stamen sculptures deep inside a tree bark, or the wonderful patterns of lichen. Each image will include the scale of the photography as well as the scientific details in layman's terms.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGrounding, calming, and quietly revolutionary. -- Robert MacFarlaneI give daily thanks for Robin Wall Kimmerer for being a font of endless knowledge, both mental and spiritual. -- Richard PowersGathering Moss is fantastic and offers an extraordinary point of view on the natural world -- Natalie PortmanSoulful, accessible... informed by both western science and indigenous teachings alike ... Kimmerer blends, with deep attentiveness and musicality, science and personal insights to tell the overlooked story of the planet's oldest plants * Guardian *Beneath your feet, barely visible to the eye, is another world: a rainforest in miniature ... Read Kimmerer's book and you're unlikely ever again to waste precious gardening time scraping moss from paving stones. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Beautiful ... Her scientific training and knowledge of plants from her Potawatomi heritage create a unique lens, teaching us how to look and watch... Reading this has made me stop to wondrously admire any patch of moss I come across. * Quietus *

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Book SynopsisHow herbaria illuminate the past and future of plant scienceTrade Review“This book opens a window on a fascinating, rarely explored subject.”—Jack Watkins, Country Life“Access to most herbaria is restricted: biologist Maura Flannery knew ‘almost nothing’ about them until 2010, when a US curator took her behind the scenes at one and she fell in love with them. Her history dramatizes this revelation, discussing global collections and collectors using fine period drawings.”—Andrew Robinson, Nature“This book is the fruit of [Flannery’s] exploration into [plant’s] vital importance but also what they tell us about history, culture, aesthetics and ethnobotany.”—Ursula Buchan, The Spectator“An enchanting travelogue ranging across centuries of plant collecting, In the Herbarium is also an urgent reminder of the value of natural history collections to science, the humanities, and art.”—Yota Batsaki, Dumbarton Oaks“In this engaging, never-before-told story, Maura Flannery shows us how the herbarium has been at the center of our centuries-long quest to understand the world of plants.”—Peter Crane, author of Ginkgo and president, Oak Spring Garden Foundation“Maura Flannery’s love of all things botanical permeates through her writing, creating a story of botany past, present, and future seen through the lens of the herbarium.”—Caroline Cornish, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew“A stimulating and informative book to be read (and re-read) from cover to cover as a source of enjoyment, enlightenment and inspiration.”—D. S. Ingram, joint lead author/editor of Science and the Garden“A very useful and timely overview of the long history of engagement with botanical knowledge.”—Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, author of Unifying Biology: The Evolutionary Synthesis and Evolutionary Biology

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Book SynopsisNorthern Ireland is well known for the beauty of its natural landscape. With a better understanding of the plant species which grow in our woodlands, coasts and other natural habitats, we could all appreciate our natural surroundings much more.This book will introduce you to many of our common, and not so common, plant species in their natural environments. Introduction to the Wildflowers of Northern Ireland will encourage you to give those plant species we frequently stroll past a second look!

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Book SynopsisTree ferns in the landscape command the attention of both devoted gardeners and casual passersby. Their stately form resembles that of the palm tree and evokes a feeling of the quintessentially exotic. This volume is the source for information on the living tree ferns. It surveys families, genera, and species, including those suitable for the home garden. It offers up-to-date taxonomy and detailed descriptions as well as in-depth coverage of everything from tree fern use to conservation. In recognition of the horticultural importance of tree ferns, the authors provide extensive cultivation information, including propagation, and diseases and pests. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.

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Book SynopsisPraise for The Green Planet (BBC One)'David Attenborough's gobsmacking, awe-inspiring return' The Guardian'The Green Planet reveals the secret lives of plants in the same way The Blue Planet opened our eyes to the oceans' New ScientistThere's something new under the sunPlants live secret, unseen lives - hidden in their magical world and on their timescale. From the richest jungles to the harshest deserts, from the snowiest alpine forest to the remotest steaming swamp, Green Planet travels from one great habitat to the next, showing us that plants are as aggressive, competitive and dramatic as the animals on our planet. You will discover agents of death, who ruthlessly engulf their host plant, but also those that form deep and complex relationships with other species, such as the desert cacti who use nectar-loving bats to pollinate. Although plants are undoubtedly the stars of the show, a fascinating new light will be shed on the animals that interact with them.Using the latest technologies and showcasing over two decades of new discoveries, Green Planet reveals the strange and wonderful life of plants like never before - a life full of remarkable behaviour, emotional stories and surprising heroes.

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Book SynopsisTrees have played countless roles in human history - by turns hopeful symbols of freedom, pioneering space travellers, keepers of ancient history and accessories to murder. From art to politics, science to crime, these are the stories of the trees that have shaped life on Earth.Neurobiologist and philosopher Stefano Mancuso brings his signature charm and eye for unforgettable detail to tell eight stories of trees that have rooted themselves in human history - from the red spruces that were made into Stradivarius' violins to the wooden ladder that solved 'The Crime of the Century'. Combining scientific vigour with his inimitable voice, Mancuso reveals the amazing ways that the world's green-print has shaped the course of our lives, issuing a passionate rallying cry for greater care and attention towards the plants that have helped us survive and thrive.

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Book SynopsisWith spectacular large-format images complemented by scientifically grounded, yet easy-to-read, explanatory texts, Georg Glaeser and Werner Nachtigall take you on an exciting journey through the fascinating world of macrostructures – small structures in nature that fulfill specific functions. This book will pique your curiosity about a secret world known only to a few by presenting an impressive range of evolutionary mechanisms, from shrimps’ “tail flips” to the adhesive pads of gecko setae and the implementation of biological structures in the field of bionics. The book can be read in any fashion you please – the cross-references make it easy to jump across the sections, which are largely self-contained and discuss various highlights of the evolutionary process. Table of ContentsShape, Movement, Lever­.- Sticking, Filtering, Drilling.- Gripping, Stretching, Folding.- Signalling, Swimming, Flying, Exploding.- Storage, Constructions, Building Materials.- Packaging, Primordia, Unfolding Mechanisms.- Brave New World.

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Book SynopsisCactus Culture for Amateurs by William Watson is a creative masterpiece that indicates simply how skilled the writer is at combining classical evaluation with ordinary expertise. Watson artwork is extra than only a guide to the complicated global of cactus lifestyle; they may be an experience into the fascinating world of those flora. Watson writing on this book goes past what you'll anticipate from an ordinary educational guide. He efficaciously combines medical records with real-lifestyles stories to make his records useful for each novices and professionals within the area of cactus gardening. Watson's intention is not only to clear up problems, but also to connect humans with every other and assist them learn more approximately the natural international. Watson's new and enthusiastic technique is what makes Cactus Culture for Amateurs so stunning. He affords readers to a wide variety of feelings and studies about developing cacti thru stylish however dependable writing. The book is appealing due to the fact it can make the tough artwork of developing cacti both interesting and academic. William Watson's writing is greater than simply preparation; it is an inventive journey that draws readers into the charming world of cacti at the same time as making sure that his works are exciting and on hand to a wide variety of readers.

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Book SynopsisLynne Boddy is professor of fungal ecology at Cardiff University. She has authored two academic books and a children's book for DK. In 2019, she was awarded an MBE for Services to Mycology and science outreach, and in 2021, she won the Arboricultural Association Award. Lynne has appeared on BBC's Deep Down and Dirty: the Science of Soil, and other TV shows. Ali Ashby is a fungal biologist and director of a life sciences consultancy company in Cambridge. She is a former Royal Society University Research Fellow. Ali is a member of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), the British Mycological Society (BMS) and coordinated the national BMS UK Fungus Day in 2013.

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Book SynopsisHummingbirds, and the balletic ways in which they feed on flowers, are familiar to most people. But they belong to just one of at least 74 bird families that are known, or suspected, to be pollinators. Relationships between plants and birds first emerged at least 50 million years ago and over time have influenced the evolution of both groups. This groundbreaking book is the first to deal with pollinating birds in all their diversity, involving almost 1,390 avian species interacting with tens of thousands of different plants. It rescues them from being novelties of natural history and explores these interactions in all their evolutionary and ecological significance. Pollinating birds have intricate lives that are often highly dependent on flowers, and the plants themselves are at the whim of birds for their reproduction. This makes them important players within many ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, dry grasslands, temperate woodlands, coastal mangroves and oceanic islands. Bird–flower relationships are threatened by disease, habitat destruction and climate change. Some of the birds are already extinct. Yet there are optimistic stories to be told about conservation and restoration projects that reveal the commitment of people to preserving these vital ecological connections. In addition, as a source of cultural inspiration with a history stretching back millennia, pollinating birds and their flowers are part of the ongoing relationship between humanity and the rest of nature.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Encounters with birds and flowers 1. Origins of a partnership 2. Surprising variety 3. Keeping it in the family 4. A flower’s point of view 5. In the eye of the beholder 6. Goods and services 7. Misaligned interests 8. Senses and sensitivities 9. Codependent connections 10. Hitchhikers, drunks and killers 11. The limits to specialisation 12. Islands in the sea, islands in the sky 13. The curious case of Europe 14. ‘After the Manner of Bees’ 15. Feathers and fruits 16. Urban flowers for urban birds 17. Bad birds and feral flowers 18. What escapes the eye 19. The restoration of hope Species names Sources and further reading Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisPeach is a highly valuable temperate fruit crop with significant consumer demand and nutraceutical benefits. This book provides comprehensive and up-to-date coverage on sustainable production processes for peach and nectarine. The latter is a natural mutation of peach that lacks fuzzy skin. It includes fundamental information to help reduce production risks for growers, improve fruit quality, and increase potential market returns, whilst addressing current emerging issues such as climate change and shifting global and regional production practices.Written by an international team of expert authors and highly illustrated in full colour throughout, Peach presents information in an organized and easy-to-follow manner, with content including:Peach tree architecture.Rootstocks.Cultivars.In-field operations (irrigation, fertilization, thinning, harvest)Fruit quality, composition and nutritional benefits.Peach fruit growth, development and ripening physiology.Postharvest technology, including supply chain management protocols.Preharvest and postharvest diseases.Biology and management of insect pests.The peach canning industry.This is an essential resource for students and researchers in horticulture, as well as professionals in pomology including fruit growers, consultants and extension specialists, and cold storage and transportation managers.

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Book SynopsisEnter the world of bewitching botanicals with California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica). This puzzle features the intricate lines and lush colors of illustrator Kate O'Hara art and highlights poppy's rich symbolism. As described in Maia Toll's best-selling book The Illustrated Herbiary, poppy opens her petals in daylight and closes them when night comes, resurrecting herself each morning after deep relaxation and rest. Experience the restorative powers of poppy as you place each piece and watch her come into bloom.

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Book SynopsisThe Botanical Bible tells the story of plants and flowers, beginning with an overview of the plant kingdom and the basics of botany, then offering strategies for gardening with purpose. Later chapters introduce seasonal eating, the healing properties of plants and the world of botanical art.This stunning gift book is part history, part science, part beauty book, part cookbook and part art book. It will appeal to anyone wanting to use plants and flowers in modern life, whether they are an accomplished gardener or are simply yearning for a more natural life. This comprehensive guide to plants, flowers and botanicals covers a host of practical uses, features vintage illustrations alongside the work of current artists, and is sure to be an inspiration to anyone interested in the natural world.

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Book SynopsisThis new fourth edition has been completely revised and updated, covering all aspects in the field of plant sciences including biochemistry, plant physiology, cytology, ecology, genetics, evolution, biogeography, earth history, and earth sciences. Over 500 new entries, including Rosales, physical dormancy, menthol, and codeine, enhance the dictionary''s coverage of botanical terms, key drugs and medicines derived from plants, and plant orders, families, and genera. It also explains many ecological terms, and expands beyond plants to describe fungi and bacteria and how they affect plants.Numerous appendices include Plant Classification and SI Units, with new timelines showing important moments in plant evolution. For ease of use, vernacular plant names have been transferred to an appendix, fully cross-referenced to the A to Z entries. The dictionary''s dedicated companion website points to recommended web links and additional resources. The most up-to-date dictionary available on its subject, this is an essential resource for students of plant sciences and amateur botanists, as well as an entertaining and valuable guide for the plant enthusiast.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Allaby succeeds remarkably well over a wide range of disciplines...leaves one a better informed person, and who could ask for more from a dictionary? * Times Higher Education Supplement *...a very useful first dictionary for biologists with an interest in plants... * Alan Cadogan, Journal of Biological Education, Vol. 41 (4) *Table of ContentsPreface Contents A Dictionary of Plant Sciences A-Z Plant Classification Fungi Classification The Universal Genetic Code The Geologic Time-Scale SI Units Phylogenies Timelines Vernacular Plant Names

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Book SynopsisPlant Biology is a new textbook written for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. It is an account of modern plant science, reflecting recent advances in genetics and genomics and the excitement they have created. The book begins with a review of what is known about the origins of modern-day plants. Next, the special features of plant genomes and genetics are explored. Subsequent chapters provide information on our current understanding of plant cell biology, plant metabolism, and plant developmental biology, with the remaining three chapters outlining the interactions of plants with their environments. The final chapter discusses the relationship of plants with humans: domestication, agriculture and crop breeding. Plant Biology contains over 1,000 full color illustrations, and each chapter begins with Learning Objectives and concludes with a Summary.Trade Review"As the opening chapter in a book on plant biology with a developmental/genetic/molecular focus, this is novel, but highly relevant and welcome. The synthetic emphasis is important for the future development of these fields of science, and the general approach is bound to appeal to students. Chapter 1 fits well with the declared goal of drawing together data from different fields. This is a refreshingly new approach... I think that the level is about right for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate." - Paul Kenrick, Natural History Museum, London, UK"Chapter 2 was a joy to read. What a treasure trove of plant genetics information and examples … The chapter should stimulate interest in undergraduates and lay the foundation for graduate students at the outset of their careers. It would also be a terrific primer for Ph.D. prelim exams." - Patrick Hayes, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA"I really like the overall concept of this textbook. I teach a sophomore level undergraduate course in plant biology that is similar in content to this text and there is currently no truly appropriate textbook. While there are several lovely botany books, these are designed for survey courses aimed at students with little biology background… At the other extreme are books like Taiz & Zeiger’s Plant Physiology… which are more fitting for seniors and graduate students and which also fail to impress topics such as the evolutionary history of plants and our relationship to them." - Kaye Peterman, Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA, writing about Chapter 3"This is the most comprehensive and well written text book chapter on plant biology I have ever encountered. The coverage is incredible, and the title "metabolism" is taken in its broadest sense… I found the quality of the figures excellent. They were sufficiently stand alone to be useful in this way while being well discussed in the text." - Bob Furbank, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, Australia, writing about Chapter 4"I learned a lot from the chapter. I think this will be a good starting place for biologists at all levels to gain entry into a specific area. I also like how different genes and mechanisms were reinforced by later examples. The pace is good, the writing succinct and well worded, and many of the stories and perspectives are quite fascinating." - Fred Sack, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA, writing about Chapter 5"My overall impression was that the chapter was well written, largely up-to-date and dealt with the subject in a quite detailed way. The illustrations were excellent…. The level of detail is impressive and yet the style is very readable." - Garry Whitelam, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, writing about Chapter 6"[The authors have] endeavoured to fulfil quite an extraordinary goal – linking ‘molecular’ responses with the plant-environment interactions from a general rather than a specific viewpoint. [They have] done this remarkably well… All-in-all therefore the chapter is a major tour-de-force." - Jeremy Harbinson, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands, writing about Chapter 7"The chapter covers an enormous range of topics in a generally well organised and easily understood style. Most sections are right up to date and deal in depth with the really critical issues. The condensation of material here is very good, just what is needed for a challenging undergraduate text." - John Mansfield (Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Ashford, Kent, UK, writing about Chapter 8"It is exceptionally clear; informative without overwhelming, well written and engaging. It was a true joy to read." - Enrique Lopez-Juez, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, UK, writing about Chapter 9"Chapter 2 was a joy to read. What a treasure trove of plant genetics information and examples … The chapter should stimulate interest in undergraduates and lay the foundation for graduate students at the outset of their careers. It would also be a terrific primer for Ph.D. prelim exams." - Patrick Hayes, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA"This is the most comprehensive and well written text book chapter on plant biology I have ever encountered. The coverage is incredible, and the title "metabolism" is taken in its broadest sense… I found the quality of the figures excellent. They were sufficiently stand alone to be useful in this way while being well discussed in the text." - Bob Furbank, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, Australia, writing about Chapter 4"As a textbook, Plant Biology’s pedagogic values are very high…. Plant Biology is new and sufficiently different to existing texts to warrant closer inspection….Smith et al.’s Plant Biology is a great achievement, and the authors and publishers are to be complimented on such a worthy endeavour."-Annals of Botany, September 2009Table of Contents1. Origins2. Genomes3. Cells4. Metabolism5. Development6. Environmental Signals7. Environmental Stress8. Interactions with Other Organisms9. Domestication & AgricultureGlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Overall this is very well written and beautifully presented book on applied tree biology that completely meets its declared objectives and is an excellent resource for all those engaged in the care and management of amenity trees, parks and other urban landscapes. It also fills an important and neglected niche in the scientific literature and so it is highly recommended reading for all interested in the management of trees - especially urban trees." - Prof RRB Leakey, Forest Trees and Livelihood, March 2018 "This is an ambitious book that bridges the gap between basic plant biology and practical arboriculture. Books have attempted this before but not in such a comprehensive way. Arborists, in common with other professions, sometimes too easily accept and follow practices based on unquestioning assumption rather than evidence. This book will help ground modern arboriculture in sound science."- The Plantsman, June 2018Table of ContentsList of Contributors xv Foreword xvii Preface xix A Note on the Text xx 1 Introduction 1 Value of Trees Globally 1 Value of Urban Trees 2 Managing Trees 5 References 11 2 The Woody Skeleton: Trunk and Branches 15 What is a Tree? 15 How Does a Tree Grow? 15 Tree Design 18 How Shoots Grow 19 Building Blocks: Meristems and Buds 19 New Shoots From Buds 22 Apical Dominance and Apical Control 25 Epicormic Shoots and Sprouting 26 Epicormic Shoots (Sprouts) 27 Basal Sprouts 29 Branch and Trunk Sprouts 30 Opportunistic Sprouts 31 Sprouts Originating Underground 32 Practical Considerations of Sprouting 33 Sprouting in Response to Mechanical Injury 34 Sprouting in Response to Disturbance 34 Secondary Growth 34 The Vascular Cambium 35 Thickening of Woody Cell Walls 38 Programmed Cell Death 40 Bark and Secondary Phloem 40 How Bark Grows 41 Variation in Bark 43 Secondary Xylem – Wood 44 Different Cell Types Found in Wood 46 Living Cells in the Wood – Parenchyma 47 Non‐Living Cells in the Wood – Vessels, Tracheids and Fibres 49 Variation in Wood Structure 52 Gymnosperm Wood 52 Dicotyledonous Wood 53 Sapwood and Heartwood 56 Sapwood and Water Movement 57 Heartwood 59 Sapwood and Heartwood – Considerations for Pruning Operations 62 Trade‐offs in Wood Design 62 Trade‐offs and the Movement of Water 63 Freezing‐Induced Cavitation 66 Drought‐Induced Cavitation 67 Moving Water Around a Tree – Vascular Sectorality 71 References 72 3 Leaves and Crowns 77 Angiosperm Leaves 78 Angiosperm Leaf Anatomy 82 Gymnosperm Leaves 83 Gymnosperm Leaf Anatomy 85 Juvenile Leaves 86 Sun and Shade Leaves 87 Leaf Arrangement 90 Compound Leaves 91 Evergreen and Deciduous Leaves 93 Value of Evergreen and Deciduous Leaves 94 Leaf Phenology 97 Tree Crowns 101 Shape of Tree Crowns 104 Role of Branches in Tree Crowns 107 Biomechanical Design of Tree Crowns 108 Reaction Wood 122 Branch Shedding as a Natural Process 124 Tree Pruning 126 Pruning Practices 129 Tree Crown Support 133 References 135 4 Tree Roots 141 Root Growth and Development 141 Root Systems 146 Secondary Root Growth 148 Root Architecture 150 Tree Anchorage 153 Extent of Root Systems 154 When Do Roots Grow? 157 Soil Compaction 161 Soil Resistance to Root Development 163 Management of Soil Compaction 165 Mulching 168 Decompaction 168 Estimating Appropriate Soil Volumes for Tree Roots 171 Improving Soil Volumes in Urban Environments 179 References 183 5 The Next Generation of Trees: From Seeds to Planting 187 Flowers, Seeds and Fruits 187 Variation in Flowers and Pollination 189 Not All Seeds Require Pollination 191 Cost of Reproduction 193 Numbers Involved 195 Flowering and Fruiting in Urban Landscapes 196 Tree Crops 198 Vegetative Reproduction 199 Growing Trees 203 Seeds and Their Origins 203 Storing Seeds 205 Seed Dormancy 205 Germination 207 Seedlings 208 Tree Establishment – From Production to the Landscape 210 Momentum of Tree Establishment 211 Tree Species Selection 212 Tree Quality 219 Nursery Production 219 Rooting Environment 225 Arboricultural Practices 227 References 231 6 Tree Water Relations 239 Water is Fundamental to Tree Development 239 Importance of Water Potential 240 Trees Experience Soil Water Potential, Not Soil Water Content 241 Managing Soil Water Availability 243 Fine Roots are Critical for Water Absorption 249 Hydraulic Redistribution 251 Ascent of Sap from Roots to Shoots 253 Transpiration 255 Resistance to Water Loss 255 References 258 7 Tree Carbon Relations 261 Carbon Moves from Source to Sink via the Phloem 262 Light and Other Environmental Variables That Influence Photosynthesis 263 Coping With Low Light 266 Coping With Too Much Light 268 Practical Implications of the Light Environment and Shade Tolerance 269 Other Key Factors Influencing Photosynthesis – Temperature, Nutrition and Water 270 Species Differ Widely in Their Leaf Photosynthetic Capacity 271 The Big Picture – Carbon Gain Over the Years 273 Carbon Dynamics in Trees: Production, Use and Storage 275 How Do Trees Die? 278 Improving the Carbon Balance in Landscape Trees 280 Annual Carbon Dynamics of the Tree and the Timing of Arboricultural Work 280 References 281 8 Tree Nutrition 285 Essential Nutrients 287 Nutrient Uptake 287 Symbiotic Relationships That Help Nutrient Acquisition 289 Other Factors That Influence Nutrient Availability –pH, Moisture, Aeration, Temperature 292 Nutrient Cycling 294 Managing Tree Nutrition 298 References 301 9 Interactions With Other Organisms 303 Trees as Habitats and Hosts 303 Plants and Epiphytes 303 Microorganisms 306 Symbiotic Fungi 306 Commercial Inoculants 308 Pathogenic Fungi 309 Defence of Stems 315 Historical Context of Stem Defence 316 Stem Defence 316 Effect of Wounding to the Bark 318 Effect of Wounding to the Sapwood 320 Pruning and Wounding 323 Decay in Stems 324 Bacteria 326 Insects 328 Pollinators and Defenders 328 Sap Suckers and Defoliators 328 Wood and Bark Borers 330 Synergy of Pests, Diseases and Environmental Stress 332 Mammals and Birds 333 Seed Dispersers 333 Injury by Birds and Mammals 334 Managing Trees as Habitats 334 Deadwood 342 References 346 10 Environmental Challenges for Trees 351 Avoidance and Tolerance of Plant Stress 351 Acclimation and Adaptation 352 Cold‐Hardiness 353 Acquiring Cold‐Hardiness 353 Cold‐Hardiness Maps 354 Cold Injury to Trees 356 Avoiding Freezing in Below‐Zero Temperatures 357 Ice Formation Outside of the Cell Protoplast 357 Frost Injury 358 High Temperatures 361 Coping with High Temperatures 362 Drought and Water Deficits 364 Water Deficits and Tree Development 365 Resistance of Water Deficits Using Avoidance and Tolerance Strategies 369 Drought Tolerance for Difficult Urban Sites 372 Flooding and Waterlogging Tolerance 376 Flooding Injury 377 Flooding and Soils 378 Variation in Tolerance to Flooding 378 Structural Adaptations to Flooding 378 Physiological Adaptations to Flooding 381 Riparian Trees Adapted to Urban Environments 382 Salt Tolerance 382 Dehydration and Toxicity Injuries in Saline Soils 383 Managing Saline Soils in Amenity Tree Planting 384 References 385 Index 391

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Book Synopsis Herbs are wonderful things. Without them so much would not be possible. With the advance of science over the last two hundred years these once mystical plants have changed and saved countless lives, vastly improving our standard of living while providing us all with a much richer, healthier diet. Today, we take for granted a world full of life-saving drugs, luxury cosmetics and exotic foods. This fascinating book will tell this story: revealing how poisons once used by the ancient Romans such as Deadly Nightshade are now being used in modern medicine or how the herbs used by indigenous people around the world have provided remedies for countless illnesses. It will explore the myths and legends behind herbs such as the infamous Mandrake and how herbs such as Yarrow are still being used to treat wounds today, just as they were thousands of years ago; and it will show how exotic herbs from across the globe have enriched our lives and delve into the origins of the culinary herb

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered why the rose has thorns and other flowers don''t; why the daffodil is the colour it is; or why some plants have shiny leaves and others matt?How The Rose Got its Thorns reveals the inner workings of our favourite flowers and trees. Designed to help gardeners, both novice and experienced, better understand how plants grow, the book is easy to navigate - it is divided into 50 chapters, each one a story.Accompanied by specially commissioned colour illustrations, each chapter explains the science behind how plants work and the extraordinary processes they have evolved: such as protecting themselves from predators using chemicals; attracting pollinators using scent, shape and colour; growing in low or high temperatures; their relationship with the wind; the size and pattern of their leaves; the distribution of their seeds and survival strategies; their relationship with insects; how they allocate their resources; and how they retain water eff

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Book SynopsisMost of us think of Darwin at work on The Beagle, taking inspiration for his theory of evolution from his travels in the Galapagos. But Darwin published his Origin of Species nearly thirty years after his voyages and most of his labours in that time were focused on experimenting with and observing plants at his house in Kent. He was particularly interested in carnivorous and climbing plants, and in pollination and the evolution of flowers. Ken Thompson sees Darwin as a brilliant and revolutionary botanist, whose observations and theories were far ahead of his time - and are often only now being confirmed and extended by high-tech modern research. Like Darwin, he is fascinated and amazed by the powers of plants - particularly their Triffid-like aspects of movement, hunting and 'plant intelligence'. This is a much needed book that re-establishes Darwin as a pioneering botanist, whose close observations of plants were crucial to his theories of evolution.Trade ReviewVivid account ... with a light touch and a welcome sense of humour, Thompson reveals Darwin as an acute observer of flora as well as fauna -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *Lively and punchy ... Thompson's arguments are powerful and his examples are fascinating * The Sunday Times *Thompson makes his case in a lively, readable style ... Better yet, he bolsters his argument with plenty of citations from the scientific literature, which adds welcome heft. * New Scientist *'Fascinating, provocative... Ken Thompson presents a stimulating challenge to our perceptions of nature' -- George Monbiot

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Book SynopsisA complete picture of bamboo in both history and our modern world.

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Book SynopsisThroughout the world, traditional medical systems continue to impact the lives of many people. These systems vary greatly in their underlying beliefs – but all commonly rely on the consumption of plant matter as a central practice. An Ancient Mesopotamian Herbal is a new, fully illustrated book that explores the uses of flora in traditional medicine and how these botanical roots extend to modern, ‘conventional’ medicinal treatments. Using new research and yet unseen data from modern day Iraq and surrounding areas, and drawing on the expertise of archeo-botanists, scientists and Assyriologists specialising in historic Mesopotamian medicine, An Ancient Mesopotamian Herbal is a ground-breaking reassessment of research on ancient Mesopotamian flora.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisPut your nature knowledge to the test and learn more about the botanical world with this unique puzzle book from Kew Gardens. Packed with fun facts and a fascinating range of puzzles, this is a delightful entertainment for all the family. You''ll learn to identify the difference between a primrose and a poinsettia, a robin''s call from a redwing''s - and much more!Puzzles, brainteasers and trivia topics include multiple aspects of Kew - from plants and trees, to fungi and the resident wildlife - all with a focus on the wonderful nature at home to the most famous botanical gardens in the UK and beyond.

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Book SynopsisA Naturalist's Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain & Northern Europe is an easy-to-use identification guide to 280 wild flower species commonly seen in Britain and North-West Europe that is perfect for the amateur naturalist.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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