Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest Books

Book SynopsisLearn to draw beautiful flowers from the old masters with some help from Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals. Improve your skills by learning techniques on one page, and practicing on the next page.Imagine learning to draw roses with Redoute, or tulips with Pieter Brugel. Imagine learning the secrets that made their flower paintings stand out in their eras and still stand out today. Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals is an art book that shows you how to create flowers that will stand the test of time by taking a close look at the details of great floral paintings, and then coaching you through the techniques. Each spread in this unique book is made up of two hard working components: The left-hand page features a close-up illustration from a noted 19th century and earlier artist, and the right-hand page, made from quality, uncoated stock, is for drawing. There are also coaching tips, observations, and a demonstrative sketch on each page. As you progress through the book, you'll get to try a variety of artists' styles, and see how to apply them to your own personal style. Don't wait to get started! By learning from the masters, you'll become a master yourself.Trade Review"should appeal to the more experienced artist who wants to do their own thinking without being led by the hand at every stage" -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *Table of ContentsIntroduction Tools, Materials, and Tips Sketchbook Opener Crocus Pussy Willow Spring Flowers Narcissus Primula Lily of the Valley Violets Still Life with Flowers and Strawberries Striped Tulip Three Tulips Still Life with Tulip, Melon, and Flowers Three “Broken” Tulips Hyacinth Strawberry Apple Blossom Iris Bearded Iris Hydrangea Summer Flower Studies Poppy: Pavot Poppy Anemones Belladonna Lily Lily Agapanthus Rosa Gallica Branch of Roses Still Life with Roses Pink Rose with Buds Bengal Rose Eglantera Rose Old-Fashioned Roses Yellow Rose Dandelion Peony and Double Poppy Peony Cape Blue Water Lily Water Lily Morning Glory Peach Chrysanthemums Yellow Chrysanthemums Autumn Leaves Oak Leaves and Acorns Apple Stone Pinecone Eastern Pinecone European Holly About the Artist

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Book SynopsisBe inspired by nature and play the card game suited for all.Team up the component parts of a tree - from the leaf, flower and fruit plus the tree itself to form a tree family!Discover eleven of the most beautiful flowering, fruiting trees with Ryuto Miyake's stunning, detailed illustrations and text about each tree written by the Head of the Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.See which of your friends knows the most about nature! Take the time to learn the different components and see if you can identify the trees next time you're outside!Based on Happy Families, this game will inspire you take in nature's surroundings and understand all the elements that make up the worlds beautiful trees.UNIQUE: A beautifully boxed card game for 2-5 players based on Happy FamiliesBEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED: Collect all four components of tree families across 44 beautifully illustrated cards. Keep this safe within the wonderfully illustrated box measuring 115 x 90 x 35mmFUN & COLOURFUL: Each card has been illustrated by Ryuto Miyake, illustrator of Animal Mah-jongHIGHEST QUALITY: These educational cards have been carefully considered and written by the Head of Arborteum at the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew.GIFT: If you're looking for the perfect family gift, Tree Families is the ultimate for learning and having fun!Other similar Laurence King Publishing titles include: Fashion Families, Flower Families, Super Happy Families and Wonder Women

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Book SynopsisThis book is an essential reference tool for all those who have a passion for trees as well as those who work in tree-related professions whether they be garden managers, forest and country park wardens, foresters, woodland managers or those working in the fields of arboriculture and horticulture. Moreover, this volume is also intended to be a textbook of trees aimed at arboriculture, horticulture and forestry students studying at National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels and for candidates of the Royal Horticultural Society's Diploma in Horticulture and the Society's Master of Horticulture [RHS] Award. Other books in this field have tended to concentrate either on the science of trees, or have specialized on their management, culture or aesthetics. This volume, however, is a comprehensive study that illustrates the relationship between all these subjects.

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Book SynopsisTobin Mitnick, JewsLoveTrees creator and shameless tree lover, leads you, the tree-curious, through the wonderful world of North American trees with fact, opinion, and humor. In Must Love Trees, Mitnick invites you to share his deeply personal connection to our forest companions in ways that expand the storied genre of nature writing. From an imagined dialogue with the world’s oldest bristlecone pine, to the minutiae of tree huggability, to the emotional toll of taking up the practice of bonsai, this fresh take into the world of trees is divided into three equally humorous and insightful sections. The first section discusses Mitnick’s personal opinions and relationship with trees while the second section describes the science behind trees (from tree botany to tree biology to tree ecology). In the final section, Mitnick answers the question: Who would these trees be if they all attended high school together? Tobin’s detailed description of a tree in action and his thorough run-down of our most-treasured North American trees (all 100 of whom happen to be classmates at “Tree High North America”), makes this compilation an original and occasionally outlandish guide for both the budding and seasoned tree-lover.Must Love Trees features beautiful drawings of a vast selection of North American trees, including: Renowned icons like the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Beloved favorites like the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Historical tragedies like the American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) Menacing creepers like Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) Unsung wonders like the Common Paw-Paw (Asimina triloba) Part textbook, part memoir, and part comedy, Must Love Trees is the most complete—and most unconventional—story of our forest pals ever told.Table of ContentsIntroduction What You Can Expect from This Book Prologue An Imagined Dialogue with Methuselah, the Oldest (?) Tree in the World 8 Part I My Personal Experience with Trees and Thoughts Derived Thereof CHAPTER 1 My Everyday Tree-Sperience CHAPTER 2 “Arbor-Culture” CHAPTER 3 Bonsai — a Wonderful Way to Torture Oneself CHAPTER 4 Around the House and Neighborhood CHAPTER 5 Look on My Pine Cone Home, Ye Mighty, and Despair! CHAPTER 6 Climate Change and Trees Part II A Tree, Basically CHAPTER 7 Tree Botany CHAPTER 8 Tree Biology CHAPTER 9 Tree Ecology Part III A Slightly Opinionated Guide to North American Trees CHAPTER 10 Spotting Your Tree Pals at the Big Game: How to Use the Tree Guide CHAPTER 11 Gymnosperms CHAPTER 12 Angiosperms CHAPTER 13 UNPOPULAR TREE OPINION: These Two Beloved Trees Are Not Trees Epilogue An Imagined Dialogue Between Myself and a Magnolia Tree Glossary References and Further Reading Acknowledgments About the Author

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Book SynopsisFungi are eternally mysterious and truly unique. The Deck of Mushrooms is your essential introduction to some of the world’s most interesting fungi. From the delicious Shiitake and the deadly Death Cap, to mushrooms of the magical variety and bioluminescent beauties, The Deck of Mushrooms features 52 beautiful cards to guide you through this fascinating world. This deck features 50 different fungi – learn about their appearance, where and when they grow and all of their uses as you become a budding expert in mycology.

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the botanical and cultural history of the popular snowdrop.

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Book SynopsisAfter the concise and informative descriptions of the structure of grasses and their flowers, there are lists of grasses for various habitats, followed by a key to grasses in flower. It provides excellent scientific illustrations of the major grasses found in the UK and information on the preferred conditions for each grass.

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Book SynopsisThe Complete Language of Herbs is a comprehensive encyclopedia providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 500 herbs and spices. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the herb or spice’s scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry. Did you know that allspice can be added to herbal mixtures to attract money or luck? Or that sprinkling arrowroot at the doors of your home will keep guests’ negative energy from entering? Reaching the height of popularity during the Victorian era, floriographies—dictionaries of symbolic flower meanings—were an amusing pastime and art to subtly communicate unspoken emotions. To complement the success of The Complete Language of Flowers, author S. Theresa Dietz has scoured historic sources and compiled an equally beautiful compendium in The Complete Language of Herbs, revealing the secrets and powers of hundreds of common and forgotten herbs and spices from around the world. Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common herb and spice name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, chefs, party planners, and food enthusiasts. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, astrological self-care practices, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and symbols.Table of ContentsContents Introduction How to Use This Book A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W-Z Works Consulted Acknowledgements About the Author Photo Credits List of Culinary Herbs Index of Common Herb Names Index of Common Meanings & Powers

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Book SynopsisBeech, birch, ash, sycamore, oak. Maple, mango, hawthorn, cherry. Scots pine and Japanese cedar . . . The company of trees is different from that of any other living thing.This is a story of the humans who love trees.From tree sitters to nature lawyers, from climbers to climate strikers, from planters to pruners, from forest therapists to trauma survivors, from city gardeners to rewilders. These are voices of passion, sorrow, anger, nurture, solace and wonder.Trees are our past and our present – our future, too. FOR THE LOVE OF TREES is about why trees matter and what we owe them. It’s about our humanity, our devotion and our sheer awe.

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Book SynopsisA guide to exploring 365 of Scotland''s most scenic, wildlife-rich and historically significant woodlands. From the precious fragments of Caledonian pine forest to lesser-known wildwoods and urban copses, Scottish woodlands offer places of sanctuary, both for wildlife and for people. In this practical guide, Gabriel Hemery brings together the beauty, purpose, history, wildlife and ownership of some of the most extraordinary woodland sites in the country, from the largest (the Forest of Ae, which covers more than 10,000 hectares) to the smallest (Halligarth in the Shetland Islands, measuring less than a third of a hectare), and everything in-between. Some woods are notable for having the tallest or rarest trees, others are the best places in the country for spotting ospreys or red squirrels, or even marine mammals; some are known as the best places to explore preserved archaeological features, discovering hidden histories or simply enjoying spectacular scenery.Trade ReviewAn engaging and comprehensive route map to enjoying Scottish woodlands. * Trees for Life *Table of ContentsScotland’s forests How to Use this Guide Access to Forests Keeping Safe Angus & Dundee (Sites 1-12) Argyll & Bute (Sites 13-52) Ayrshire (Sites 53-67) Borders (Sites 68-90) Clyde (Sites 91-102) Dumfries & Galloway (Sites 103-119) Fife (Sites 120-132) Highlands (Sites 133-248) Lothian (Sites 249-273) Moray & Nairn (Sites 274-289) North-East (Sites 290-313) Outer Hebrides, Orkney & Shetland (Sites 314-325) Perth & Kinross (Sites 326-347) Upper Forth (Sites 348-365) Site Designations Glossary Useful Information Further Reading Regional Maps Index Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisWildflowers are not only beautiful, they are of vital importance in providing food for bees and other pollinators. And they are found everywhere - in meadows, woodlands, jungles, mountains, deserts, grasslands and even in towns and cities. This fabulously illustrated book showcases dozens of different species with over 130 flower and insect stickers to add to the delightful scenes. Each is carefully labelled to help you differentiate cornflowers from corn cockles and poppies from primroses.

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, richly illustrated book on Europe's wild orchids perhaps the most enigmatic and popular group in the botanical world.The orchid family (Orchidaceae), numbering some 25,000 species, is one of the world's two largest families of flowering plants. Whilst the vast majority of orchids are found in the wet tropics, Europe accommodates c.130 native orchid species which are equally arranged in dense inflorescences of great beauty. Furthermore, the adaptations encountered in some of the European species are just as fascinating as those of their tropical relatives.This book provides an introduction to the native orchids of Europe. It features four sections: Structure and systematics', Orchids and the environment', Orchid portraits' and How to learn more'. This part constitutes the bulk of the book, presenting individual genera in a sequence which reflects their most likely evolutionary relationships. Each genus is introduced by one page of text and illustrated by one or more colour

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Book SynopsisThe village of Mark on the Somerset Levels is a watery wonderland, rich in wildlife: rooks and roe deer; sparrows and snowdrops; buzzards, badgers and butterflies; the iconic brown hare and the spectacular hummingbird hawk-moth. This title is both the story of a small corner of the West Country and a celebration of the natural world.Trade ReviewDelightful, soothing and informative * Daily Mail *An enchanting book, Wild Hares and Hummingbirds is a combination of celebration for what is and regret for what is passing. It is elegiac * Daily Express *An enchanting month-by-month guide to "the natural history of an English village". As richly evocative of January as of June, Moss captures the flora and the fauna of his Somerset home with a grace and charm to warm the coldest winter night * Independent *[A] charmingly produced book…readers are in the hands of an expert -- Steven Barfiel * The Lady *This engaging account…should spark interest in country-dwellers and provide a transporting read for townies. In his placid style, Moss is profoundly informative -- Christopher Hirst * Independent *

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Book SynopsisFrom ash die-back to the Great Storm of 1987 to Dutch elm disease, our much-loved woodlands seem to be under constant threat from a procession of natural challenges. Just when we need trees most, to help combat global warming and to provide places of retreat for us and our wildlife, they seem at greatest peril. But these dangers force us to reconsider the narrative we construct about trees and the roles we press on them.In this now classic book, Richard Mabey looks at how, for more than a thousand years, we have appropriated and humanised trees, turning them into arboreal pets, status symbols, expressions of fashionable beauty - anything rather than allow them lives of their own. And in the poetic and provocative style he has made his signature, Mabey argues that respecting trees'' independence and ancient powers of survival may be the wisest response to their current crises. Originally published with the title Beechcombings, this updated edition includes aTrade ReviewWonderfully subversive, far-reaching and unsentimental * Observer *Richard Mabey is a man for all seasons, most regions and every kind of landscape -- Andrew Motion * Financial Times *An elegant and heartfelt essay on mankind's changing relationship with trees * Sunday Telegraph *A leaf-storm of philosophical musings, journeys of mind and body, reflections and anecdotes that imprint the tree on human culture * Sunday Times *A terrific combination of both natural and intellectual history, informed by penetrating insight * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, single source of information on the plants and animals that live alongside us. This updated edition features new material on climate change, recycling and wild spaces in gardens.This friendly handbook is full of practical advice on attracting wildlife to your garden and encouraging creatures to stick around. A helpful introductory section includes expert tips on green gardening, seasonal planting, how to deal with garden predators and how to get children involved in gardening. A DIY chapter, with a step-by-step guide on creating projects for your garden from building nest, bat and hedgehog boxes to making your own pond is also included. From foxes to finches and from lizards to ladybirds, colour photographs illustrate almost 400 garden species, including mammals, birds, insects, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, flowers, trees, shrubs and fungi, while the comprehensive text explains everything you need to cultivate a haven for nature.Trade ReviewNature lovers will find this handbook full of great advice, from seasonal planting through to recycling, with lots of information on climate change, too. * People's Friend *Remarkably comprehensive... This is a great book and one that should be on the shelves of all green-fingered naturalists – whether you’ve a few acres or a window box! -- Steve Willis * British Trust for Ornithology *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword The RSPB Introduction Species Accounts DIY in the Garden Glossary Index Image Credits

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Book SynopsisThe Mojave Desert eco-region extends from eastern California to northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah, and boasts plant communities as diverse as alkali sinks, dune systems, Joshua tree woodland, pinyon juniper woodland, mixed mojave scrub, and even riparian woodland. This fully updated and revised edition will be appreciated not only by amateur wildflower enthusiasts, but experts will also find the detailed photographs and charts useful in distinguishing among similar species in difficult groups. Species are arranged by color and plant family for easy identification. This guide features 300 of the common species, full-color photographs (many brand new to this edition), detailed descriptions, information on bloom season, and interesting facts about each plant.

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Book SynopsisIn this acclaimed travel memoir Jamaica Kincaid chronicles a spectacular and exotic three-week trek through the Himalayan land of Nepal, where she and her companions are gathering seeds for planting at home. The natural world and, in particular, plants and gardening are central to Kincaid’s work. Among Flowers intertwines meditations on nature and stunning descriptions of the Himalayan landscape with observations on the ironies, difficulties and dangers of this magnificent journey.For Kincaid and three botanist friends, Nepal is a paradise, a place where a single day’s hike can traverse climate zones, from subtropical to alpine, encompassing flora suitable for growing at their homes, from Wales to Vermont. Yet as she makes clear, there is far more to this foreign world than rhododendrons that grow thirty feet high. Danger, too, is a constant companion – and the leeches are the least of their worries. Unpredictable Maoist guerrillas live in these perilous mountains, and when they do appear – as they do more than once – their enigmatic presence lingers long after they have melted back into the landscape. And Kincaid, who writes of the looming, lasting effects of colonialism in her works, necessarily explores the irony of her status as memsahib with Sherpas and bearers.A wonderful blend of introspective insight and beautifully rendered description, Among Flowers is a vivid, engrossing, and characteristically frank memoir from one of the most striking voices in contemporary literature.Part of the Picador Collection, a new series showcasing the best in modern literature.Trade ReviewKincaid takes her authenticity with her wherever she goes…engaging and stealthily funny * San Francisco Chronicle *What a writer – elegant, uncompromising, simultaneously direct and layered and complex. -- Ali SmithI’ve read everything by Jamaica Kincaid, and I’ve still never read anyone like her. If you are new to Kincaid, I envy you. -- Jackie Kay

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Book SynopsisLive life in full bloom.This beautiful book features your favourite flowers grouped by their purpose – for love, for joy, for luck, for calm, to console, and to celebrate. Discover their traditional meanings, holistic benefits, and when flowers are in season so that they can be sourced locally with a minimal carbon footprint. By creating thoughtful personal bouquets or choosing a flower for its meaning, its natural energy, or holistic property, you can bring the benefits of the natural world back into your home, your workplace, and into the lives of loved ones. Find out why you should give Foxgloves to celebrate a new job, Lilacs for joy, or Chrysanthemums for luck, and become fluent in the secret language of flowers.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the wonder of bees (and other stripey insects) and how to help them survive. In this little book of bees, wasps, hoverflies and more, discover the easy ways to make your gardens, window boxes and pots insect havens. Rewild your garden with plants for bees and honeybees - simple acts of kindness to save the planet. Expert Nicola Bradbear, from Bees for Development charity, shows you how and why it's so important.There are lots of fun things you can do to make a big difference.With every book sold, proceeds will be donated to Bees for Development (www.beesfordevelopment.org)

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Book SynopsisA stunning collection of portraits of favourite trees from around Britain by photographer Adrian Houston.---'This is a wonderful book: beautiful and important' - Joanna Lumley'A must-read for all conservationists, environmentalists and nature lovers' - Sir Richard Branson'Adrian's stunning photographs capture the majesty of these iconic trees.' - Geraint Richards, Chair of Action Oak---A Portrait of the Tree is a repository of memories, and a testament to the British landscape. Trees are revealed as religious signifiers, historical landmarks, national emblems.Sparked by a simple question: 'What is your favourite tree?', photographer Adrian Houston discovered a wealth of fascinating stories enmeshed with these giants of the natural world - some of miraculous survival, others of sheltering royalty, or witnessing history, or simply of personal grief and renewal. Adrian photographed each nominated tree looking utterly glorious: spotlit by night, bathed in morning sunshine, wreathed in delicate mist or blazing with autumn colour. From the cedars of Highclere Castle to the plane trees of London, ancient pine woods of the Scottish Highlands to veteran oaks that have stood witness to time; from native stalwarts such as the monumental beech to endangered giant redwoods. This stunning celebration bears witness to the might and majesty of the lungs of the earth - the tree. Includes: Joanna Lumley, Tony Kirkham, Dr George McGavin, Antony Gormley, Jasper Conran, Alice Temperley, Alan Titchmarsh, Sir Richard Carew Pole, the Reverend Lucy WinkettTrade ReviewAction Oak is supporting important research into the health of the UK's native oak trees, which are facing numerous threats due to climate change and multiple pests and diseases. Adrian's stunning photographs capture the majesty of these iconic trees. -- Geraint Richards, Chair of Action OakTree have for millennia influences humankind; our traditions, our culture and our way of life. Adrian Houston's photographs capture, like no others, the beauty and mystery of trees and their role in our life. To protect trees against exotic pests and diseases means also protecting our lives and traditions. -- Ralf Lopian, Chairperson of the International Steering Committee for the International Year of Plant HealthAs a tree practitioner and tree lover I enjoy seeing and meeting special trees in gardens and in their natural settings like a woodland, and this is one of the many reasons for spending a lifetime working with them. The next best thing is seeing a good image that captures the natural beauty of a good specimen, old or young, common or rare, and there are few photographers that can do that well. Adrian is one of these photographers that can see the potential and seizes the moment to capture that beauty at any time of day or night. -- Tony Kirkham, MBE VMH, Head of Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Gardens, KewTrees are essential to life on earth, and the protection of the world's trees is crucial in our fight against climate change. A Portrait of the Tree is a stunning testimony to the beauty, endurance and importance of these giants. A must read for all conservationists, environmentalists and nature lovers. -- Sir Richard Branson, entrepreneur and adventurerI believe that trees are our ancestors; many of them have lived for hundreds of years, watching over us, witnessing history, keeping our secrets. Just as they guard us, we must guard them from terrible tree diseases and from our own destructive actions. Adrian has done the most extraordinary job in capturing the characters of separate trees. This is a wonderful book: beautiful and important. -- Joanna Lumley, actress and activist'If your idea of fun on a winter's afternoon is to go to the local park and stare at trees . . . then this is very much the volume for you.' * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisSince the beginning of humanity's existence, plants have provided us with everything we need for our survival - they sustain us with air to breathe, food to eat, materials to make clothes and shelter with, and medicine to treat and prevent disease. Their beauty can also enhance our mood and provide spiritual and emotional nourishment.Western science has 'discovered' and named innumerable plant species over the course of its colonial history. To many Indigenous peoples, however, plants have been recognised for centuries as sentient beings, imbued with spirit and agency to help humanity. Publishing in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, The Ethnobotanical offers a unique and beautiful perspective on plants and their roles in the lives of peoples from across the planet.

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Book SynopsisStunning photographs of the United Kingdom's most spectacular trees - with a foreword by His Majesty the King.The Queen's Green Canopy is a beautiful photography book showcasing 70 ancient trees and 70 ancient woodlands dedicated by the QGC initiative in honour of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.The book features extraordinary photographs of the United Kingdom's best-loved trees, many of which inspired historic figures, artists and writers through the centuries.Alongside these photographs are short written pieces from contributors including Dame Judi Dench, Alan Titchmarsh, Dame Joanna Lumley, Adam Henson, Archbishop Justin Welby and Danny Clarke, as well as conservation experts from the Woodland Trust and the Duchy of Cornwall. In these pieces they reflect on the trees that have made a mark on their lives and the importance of protecting Britain's woodlands for future generations.Selected trees include yews at a Cotswold's church which inspired JRR Tolkien; the apple tree believed to have inspired Sir Isaac Newton's theory of gravity; the Five Hundred Acre Wood in East Sussex immortalised in AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books; and the 2,500-year-old tree where Henry VIII may have proposed to Anne Boleyn.So far 3 million trees have been planted by communities, schools and businesses across the country as part of the QGC initiative. Through incredible imagery and joyful pieces of writing, The Queen's Green Canopy celebrates Her Majesty's extraordinary life and the amazing legacy she leaves behind.

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Book Synopsis“You might not expect unfettered passion on the topic of seaweed, but Shetterly is such a great storyteller that you find yourself following along eagerly.” —Mark Kurlansky “Seaweed is ancient and basic, a testament to the tenacious beginnings of life on earth,” writes Susan Hand Shetterly in this elegant, fascinating book. “Why wouldn’t seaweeds be a protean life source for the lives that have evolved since?” On a planet facing environmental change and diminishing natural resources, seaweed is increasingly important as a source of food and as a fundamental part of our global ecosystem. In Seaweed Chronicles, Shetterly takes readers deep into the world of this essential organism by providing an immersive, often poetic look at life on the rugged shores of her beloved Gulf of Maine, where the growth and harvesting of seaweed is becoming a major industry. While examining the life cycle of seaweed and its place in the environment, she tells the stories of the men and women who farm and harvest it—and who are fighting to protect this critical species against forces both natural and man-made. Ideal for readers of such books as The Hidden Life of Trees and How to Read Water, Seaweed Chronicles is a deeply informative look at a little understood and too often unappreciated part of our habitat.

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Book SynopsisFor over a decade, artist Jimmy Fike traveled across the continental United States in an epic effort to photograph wild edible flora. Edible Plants is the culmination of that journey, featuring over 100 photographs that Fike has selectively colorized to highlight the comestible part of the plant. While the images initially appear to be scientific illustrations or photograms from the dawn of photography when plants were placed directly on sensitized paper and exposed under the sun, a closer look reveals, according to Liesl Bradner of the Los Angeles Times, "haunting [and] eerily beautiful" photographs. Beyond instilling wonder, Fike's contemporary, place-based approach to landscape photography emphasizes our relationship to the natural world, reveals food sources, and encourages environmental stewardship. His clever and beautiful method makes it easy to identify both the specimen and its edible parts and includes detailed descriptions about the plant's wider purposes as food and medicine.Sumptuously illustrated and delightfully informative, Edible Plants is the perfect gift for anyone curious about unlocking the secrets of native North American plants.Trade ReviewJimmy W. Fike's book, Edible Plants: A Photographic Survey of the Wild Edible Botanicals of North America, is 218 pages of botanical pageantry. For those of us fascinated by and focused on wild edibles, and even those who are not, this book will become the gold standard for edible plants in North America. The history, details, and photography are breathtaking! -- Todd P. Witcher, Discover Life in AmericaWhat is most striking about Jimmy Fike's work is his ability bring to life the spirit of a plant. He extrapolates the natural beauty of each individual part of the plant and weaves those parts together to bring to light the plant's true elegance. His works create a powerful, poetic connection between us and the plants that sustain us. -- Dee Swann, Sr. Photo Editor for Digital Engagement, The Washington PostFor the last 13 years, Fike has been photographing North America's edible flora. But instead of snapping pictures in the field, he carefully harvests the plants and takes them home to photograph. During the editing process, he only leaves a few splashes of color in the image to identify edible parts of the plant. With the plants pinned up like butterflies, the result is both vivid and somehow gruesome. -- Anne Ewbank * Atlas Obscura *This is an unusual and exceptionally engaging survey of edible plants. Hungry food foragers will carry it in the woods, and the images are wonderfully suitable for coffee-table enjoyment. -- Art Lichtenstein * Booklist *A simply gorgeous and sumptuously illustrated coffee-table style volume, Edible Plants: A Photographic Survey of the Wild Edible Botanicals of North America will prove to be a welcome and prized addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Contemporary Flora & Botanical Photography collections. . . . Edible Plants is especially commended to the attention of non-specialist general readers who are curious about unlocking the secrets of native North American plants through the expert commentaries that accompany each truly memorable and full color photograph. -- James A. Cox * Midwest Book Review *Edible Plants: A Photographic Survey of the Wild Edible Botanicals of North America by Jimmy W. Fike is a lovely book illustrating the art and science of photography and nature, specifically using edible plants as subjects. -- Jim Chatfield * Akron Beacon Journal *These striking photographs seek to inform, similar to the horticultural photography and illustrations of eras past, perhaps making foragers of us all. But what's more, they are painstakingly beautiful. This book would make an impressive gift for the naturalist in your life. (starred review) -- Susannah Felts * Bookpage *Edible Plants: A Photographic Survey of the Wild Edible Botanicals of North America is a gorgeous book: page after page of photographs of plants posed against a black background, silver-white with highlights in full color, worthy of pride of place on the coffee table. This book would make a great gift for someone fascinated by nature, or who admires art and composition, or preferably both. The photos are almost otherworldly, but grounded in the world around us. I recommend taking a long, slow afternoon to gaze at them, and then go for a walk to find what's growing between the cracks in the sidewalk in your neighborhood. -- Erica H. Smith * Washington Gardener *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsForewordPrefaceAgoserisAmaranthAmerican LotusAmerican SpeedwellAngelicaArrowleaf BalsamrootAsparagusAutumn OliveBallhead WaterleafBedstrawBracken FernBroadleaf PlantainBugleweedBurdockCalifornia PoppyCanadian VioletCattailChestnut OakChiaChickweedChiming BellsChokeberryCloverCow ParsnipCurly DockDandelionDesert HollygrapeDesert ParsleyDesert TrumpetEastern HemlockEastern White PineEchinaceaElderberryFalse Solomon's SealField MintField PennycressFilareeGill-of-the-GroundGingkoGinsengGlacier LilyGooseberryGreenbrierGround CherryHeal AllHedge MustardHenbitHibiscusHoary Mountain MintHooker's Evening PrimroseHorehoundIndian CucumberIthuriel's SpearJojobaJuniperKentucky Coffee TreeLemonade BerryLemon BalmLicoriceLondon RocketMan of the EarthManzanitaMarsh MallowMarsh MarigoldMayappleMesquiteMiner's LettuceMock StrawberryMonkey FlowerNettleleaf GoosefootOxeye DaisyPale Touch-Me-NotPalo VerdePawpawPickerelweedPineapple WeedPrickly LettucePurslaneRaspberrySalmon BerrySassafrasSea BeansSego LilySheep SorrelShishoShooting StarSilverweedSkunk CabbageSoap PlantSolomon's SealSpicebushSpringbeautyStone CropSumacSunflowerSwamp HedgenettleWalnutWapatoWatercressWater LilyWild GingerWild OatsWild OreganoWild RadishWild RhubarbWild RoseWintergreenWolfberryWood NettleYampaYellowbellsYellow Wood SorrelYerba Santa

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Book SynopsisLearn the healing properties of over 150 plants with this beautifully illustrated guide to flower and tree essences.

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Book Synopsis"INFORMATIVE AND ORIGINAL" Guardian, 'This month's best paperbacks' We've become used to thinking of plants as things for us to use: as food, tools, resources, or just as an attractive background to our own lives. But it's time to change our minds. New research shows that plants can think, plan - and may even have memories. We share our planet with beings whose potential we have only glimpsed. Featuring the writing of Robin Wall Kimmerer, Susie Orbach and Merlin Sheldrake, This Book is a Plant will be your handbook to the new reality: showing you a pathway to completely reimagine your relationship with a different kind of natural world. Delve into a world of moss and fungi: Sheila Watt-Cloutier transports us to the Arctic spring, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan discovers the pleasures of painting trees, and Rebecca Tamás puts roots down through earth and soil. This Book is a Plant is made from paper: it was once part of a tree. But it's also a seed: the first shoots of a radical new way of seeing the world around you. "AN ECLECTIC ANTHOLOGY GUARANTEED TO MAKE THE HEARTS OF EARTH LOVERS BEAT FASTER" MetroTrade ReviewThis informative and original anthology ... challenge[s] conventional ideas about plant life and especially the Western world's exploitative attitude towards nature. * Guardian, 'This month's best paperbacks' *An eclectic anthology guaranteed to make the hearts of earth lovers beat faster * Metro *

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Book Synopsis Find peace and stillness among the flowers with this lovely pocket guide to observing, identifying, and appreciating wild blooms. Explore the charmed world of flora with this delightful flower book, part of the Pocket Nature series. Learn when and where to look for wildflowers, how to identify different varieties, and what flowers can teach us, from fireweed''s resilience to dandelion''s adaptability. This petite guidebook also offers creative ideas for appreciating blooms, such as making botanical art, writing poetry, meditating in nature, and arranging a beautiful bouquet when picking is appropriate. Flower and nature lovers and mindfulness practitioners will appreciate the appealing illustrations and thoughtful reflections throughout. Take Flower Finding on your next nature walk or create a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one by pairing it with new garden clippers or a vase of pretty blooms.EASY WAY TO SPEND MORE TIME

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Book Synopsis"Some plants are inherently rare, while others become rare through our actions."Rare Plants explores what makes the world's most uncommon plants so exceptional, and by what means they have become so scarce. From highlands to jungles, many of our most extraordinary plants are vanishing at shocking rates, and this exquisitely illustrated book explores 40 of these mysterious species.Featuring stunning archive images and expert insight from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Rare Plants explores both the beauty and necessity of our endangered plant life.Table of ContentsIncludes: Adansonia grandidieri, Aloe vera, Brugmansia arborea, Clianthus puniceus, Dracaena draco, Eucalyptus, Fritillaria meleagris, Genista tinctoria, Iris sofarana, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Lotus maculatus, Paphiopedalum bellatulum, Quercus Robur and more.

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Book SynopsisIn 2020, as COVID-19 spread from Asia to North America, Zen Buddhist and ikebana practitioner Joan Stamm was forced to cancel her long-anticipated trip to Japan, where she had planned to research a flower temple pilgrimage and learn the deeper meaning of flowers known as 'little Buddhas.' But with lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, Stamm, who lives on a mountain on an island in the Salish Sea, sequestered herself like a hermit and turned to her own flower garden for solace and meaning as the pandemic engulfed the world around her. The Language of Flowers in the Time of COVID tells the story of Stamm’s life and spiritual journey through these difficult times. Using traditional Japanese flowers as seasonal indicators, Stamm speaks the poetic language of flowers to explore ancient flower metaphor as it relates to the pandemic and the many manifestations of impermanence in one of the most tumultuous years in American history.

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Book SynopsisDeals with the basic skills that every gardener needs to know and understand. Think about what you're trying to achieve, whether it be formative shaping of the plant, maintenance, renewal or rejuvenation. Look at the best tools available for the job and the different techniques to use.Includes:* guidance on selecting and using tools and equipment* comprehensive instructions on pruning plants, including roses, shrubs and hedges* tips on how to increase cropping and flowering* advice on training for shape and supportAlan Titchmarsh imparts a lifetime of expertise in these definitive guides for beginners and experienced gardeners. Step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions guide you through the basic gardening skills and on to the advanced techniques, providing everything you need to create and maintain your dream garden.

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Book SynopsisA photographic identification guide to 286 native and introduced species of tree, shrub and palm most commonly seen in Southeast Asia. High quality images from the region's top nature photographers including bark, flower and fruit details are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, identifying features, distribution and ecology, as well as uses, where relevant. The user-friendly introduction covers climate seasonality, urban habitats, tree diversity in Southeast Asia and an explanation of the classification system.

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Book SynopsisCould there be a more pleasant way to spend a warm afternoon than lazing under a tree reading poetry inspired by these shade-giving wonders of the world? Trees have sparked some of the biggest literary imaginations over the ages and - as the climate emergency escalates - it has never been more important to appreciate our vital connection to them. This beautifully illustrated anthology of sixty tree poems is a celebration of our love of trees. With poems by some of the world's best-loved poets including William Wordsworth, Thomas Hardy, William Meredith and W.H. Auden, The Book of Tree Poems will help you see trees as you've never seen them before. Our natural historians have amazed you with their biology and the ways in which they influence our lives, now it's the poets' turn to make you fall in love with their beauty, strength and character.The Book of Tree Poems taps into the trend for gifty poetry anthologies and is a

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Book SynopsisA book of deeply personal and lush photographs, drawings, and writing, Blue Violet is Cig Harvey's celebration of the natural world and the senses. Blue Violet is a vibrant meditation on the procession of seasons, sensory abundance, and the magic in everyday life. Part art book, botanical guide, historical encyclopedia, and poetry collection, Blue Violet is a compendium of beauty, color, and the senses. Plants, flowers, and our experience of the natural world are the threads that tie this unique book together. Exploring the five senses, Blue Violet takes the reader on a personal journey through nature and the range of human emotions. As with her previous three titles - You Look At Me Like An Emergency, Gardening at Night, and You an Orchestra You a Bomb - this book invites the reader to pause, laugh, cry, create, and become more aware of the natural world. Images and text in a variety of forms (prose poetry, recipes, lists, research pieces, diagrams) focus on immediate experience to understand the vibrancy of the senses on memory and feelings.Trade Review'[A] new and noteworthy visual book.' - New York Times Book Review 'A glorious, sensual, poignant collection of botanical photographs, drawings and writings, which is part-art book, part-historical guide and part-poetry collection.' - Financial Times 'There is a pure sense of pleasure that comes from looking at Harvey’s work – a kind of mindful transcendence.' - Aesthetica 'An immersive experience of color, beauty, emotion and text.' - Lenscratch 'Blue Violet is Harvey’s very personal contemplation on plants, flowers and our experience of the natural world. Exploring a range of human emotions, the book offers images and text in a variety of forms (prose poetry, recipes, lists, research pieces, diagrams), focusing on immediate experience, and on the vibrancy of the senses on memory and feelings.' - GUP Magazine 'A gorgeous book . . . that also doubles as interesting decor on a coffee table. The book is filled with deeply personal and lush photographs, drawings, and writings, and is . . . unique and immersive, with an emphasis on plants and the natural world.' - Romper 'This book is a dream.' - Stella Bugbee, Editor-at-Large, The Cut 'In her highly creative new monograph, artist Cig Harvey uses her camera to capture the magic of everyday life and bring a new perspective to plants, flowers and nature. Combining art book, botanical guide, historical encyclopedia and poetry collection in one, Blue Violet is a real feast for the senses.' - Wildflower Magazine 'Blue Violet is an explosion of color and sensorial delight. Flip through and you’ll learn about Cig’s favorite color (pink), the secret to forcing blossoms in the middle of the winter (changing the water daily and loudly expressing a desperate desire for spring might play a role) and how to make delicious meals that, you guessed it, involve eating flowers. All wrapped among some of her most gorgeous imagery to-date.' - Loves Art Will Travel blog

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Book SynopsisThis book is a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated compendium of the characteristics and properties of the plants used in making beer around the world. The botanical expert Giuseppe Caruso presents scientifically rigorous descriptions, accompanied by his own hand-drawn ink images, of more than 500 species.Trade ReviewNamed one of the top beer and booze books of 2022. * Forbes.com *Brewers like to talk about how beer makes connections. These are never stronger than when the ingredients used to make a batch come from a world we know. Giuseppe Caruso has created a voluminous guide to making this happen. Open it to any page and you’ll think, "Yeah, I can make a beer with that. A connection, too." -- Stan Hieronymus, author of Brewing Local: American-Grown BeerCaruso's The Botany of Beer is masterfully researched, global in scope, and smartly organized. As a brewer passionate about making beer that's closely tied to nature, I found this book to be very practical, useful, and informative. It gets the creative juices flowing by opening my eyes to a world of possible flavor and aroma additions tied to nature. -- Jeffrey Stuffings, cofounder of Jester King BreweryDr. Caruso’s work is an essential collection that documents the vast life of plants in the creation of beer, beyond simply hops and grain. This isn’t a how-to, per se; rather it is a vital record that shows precisely which plant parts can be (and have been) used in beer, chemical compounds of each that convey flavor and aroma, and both historical and contemporary instances of use in beer manufacturing. -- from the foreword by Marika Josephson, co-owner and brewer, Scratch Brewing CompanyAn astoundingly useful book. * Non Stop Reader *An excellent reference for those with a serious interest in beer, botany, or both of the above. * The Introverted Yogi *It is a well organized, useful directory of familiar and unfamiliar plants from North America and the rest of the globe. It has already served me and my brewing team well in conceiving new beer recipes. * Botany BrewFarm Blog *If you enjoy brewing with foraged or natural ingredients, this book is essential. * Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine *An astounding amount of information for the advanced amateur or professional brewer who is interested in experimenting with ingredients beyond barley and hops. * American Brewer *Table of ContentsAn Infinite World, by Teo Musso, Le BaladinForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroductionIn Praise of G-locality, by Andrea Pieroni and Michele F. FontefrancescoAbout the Plants and Beer MakingA Botanical Beer-Making CompendiumThe Botanical Beer-Making ProfileBotanical Beer-Making ProfilesOther Beer-Making Plant SpeciesGlossaryBibliographyIndex of Common Names

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Book SynopsisTargeted to the millions of consumers treating common ailments with herbal remedies, this authoritative guide to 100 essential herbs is chock-full of crucial information for the health-minded consumer, wellness advocate, gardener, and naturalist.Written by the executive director of the American Herbalists Guild, National Geographic Herbal  features backyard weeds like dandelion and red clover, culinary herbs like rosemary and garlic, classics like blueberries and chamomile, as well as less familiar medicinals like ashwangandha, Japanese knotweed, and shatavari. You’ll discover the healing properties of herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger, and which learn which popular herbs deserve special conservation attention, such as rooibos and ginseng.Blending traditional lore and current science, the information found in these pages stretches from tips for the kitchen garden and home apothecary to news about activism in the global arena. IllustratedTrade Review"Beautifully designed and illustrated, thoroughly researched and presented with wisdom, passion, knowledge and love by the incomparable Mimi Hernandez, the National Geographic Herbal is a treasure that will delight and inspire plant lovers of all ages and in every nation." —Wade Davis, PhD, ethnobotanist, professor of anthropology, and author of One River and The Serpent and the Rainbow"What an astounding and unusual idea the publishers had for this book: to create an Herbal that will reach the general public, filled with detailed, accurate information based on both science and tradition, and written by an experienced clinical herbalist. The book is visually stunning, with step-by-step instructions for home remedies and recipes as well as the history and lore of these wondrous plants. This is one 'coffee table book' that deserves to be read cover to cover and referred to over and over." —David Winston, RH(AHG), author of Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief"Like sharing a cup of aromatic herbal tea with a friend, this beautifully written book by Mimi Prunella Hernandez weaves together the rich cultural traditions that inspired her path as an herbalist with sound scientific data to create an essential reference for herb enthusiasts and herbal practitioners." —Patricia Kyritsi Howell, RH(AHG), author of Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians"Mimi Hernandez’s book is an extraordinary work of art, scholarship, humanity and wisdom of herbal traditions, past and present. Her stunning skill in writing allows the depth and dedication she has for plant medicines to infuse her keen sense and admiration for the sciences. Just when you think you can not come across another herbal of great value, Mimi’s book rises to the top of the list. Beautifully illustrated and written with practicality for the home herbalist and clinician alike, this book is truly destined to survive the tests of time." —Kat Maier, RH(AHG), author of Energetic Herbalism and founding director, Sacred Plant Traditions"Mimi Prunella Hernandez’s book, National Geographic Herbal, brings the reader into the sensual world of herbs with lovely herbal illustrations and story. This book captures a wealth of herbal knowledge arranged in a user-friendly fashion with hints of a traditional herbal. The magic of this book is felt throughout the pages, recipes, and Mimi’s personal journey on the herbal path." —Dr. Mary Bove, naturopath and medical herbalist"Weaving together folk and scientific insights into the healing powers of specific plants along with essays highlighting key issues and approaches to herbalism in the 21st century, the beautifully designed National Geographic Herbal offers something for new and experienced herbalists and plant lovers alive." —Ann Armbrecht, PhD, author of The Business of Botanicals: Exploring the Healing Promise of Plant Medicines in a Global Industry"The National Geographic Herbal is a thorough collection of herbs drawn from Mimi's extensive expertise and diverse journey into herbalism consisting of both traditional practice and scientific uses and applications. This is an outstanding resource to include in your studies or practice, and it will become a favorite reference for many years to come!" —Mary Colvin, RH(AHG), clinical herbalist and host of “Herbology Talk” podcast“Oh, how I long to sit around a kitchen table with Mimi, chopping herbs, drinking peach leaf tea and listening to her stories of plant kin and community. Instead, an ocean away, I read Mimi's writing and am absorbed into a warm and welcoming space of wild plants, wisdom and wonder. Mimi guides us gently and surely along a journey of herbalism, from sensory and experiential to weedy and wonderful to community medicine and global ethics within herbalism. The way Mimi has written about each herb is engaging, articulate, accessible and informative, and this book is a welcome addition to the homes or libraries of anyone and everyone interested in plant medicine.” —Amaia Dadachanji, MNIMH, practicing herbalist and founder of Wild Apothecary“Mimi’s ‘insatiable quest to learn about the inner workings of the body and the outer workings of the natural world’ bears glorious fruit in this remarkable book. It so clearly comes from her heart, and her love for the plants shines through its pages. She animates profound insights with powerful stories that transcend her personal experiences to reach us all. These are grounded always with a rational scientific underpinning that means they make sense in our modern culture too. As Mimi asks, keep this book by your bed and take it with you as a guide on your outings!” —Simon Mills, FCPP FNIMH, herbal practitioner, co-author of Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, and self care lead at the UK College of Medicine"Mimi Hernandez's book is like a stroll through a well-designed herb garden on a crisp summer morning. Using the world of herbal medicine as her palette, Mimi has woven a pleasant presentation of individual herbs on a backdrop of thoughtful introductions to many of the world's herbal traditions. There really is something in here for everyone." —Thomas Avery Garran, PhD, president, Herb Whisperer, Inc. and executive director, East West School of Planetary Herbology“If you want to get a feel for herbal medicine, this is your book. Brilliantly written in almost poetic script (yet peppered with science), these lyrical descriptions of medicinal plants and their effects will turn you on to the influence of herbs on your remarkable body. This Herbal will guide you to discover the subtle (and sometimes robust) power of botanical medicines. Add to this the practical tips for having fun in your kitchen while making remedies, and you have an exceptional self-study guide to assist you on your journey into the kingdom of botanical medicines.” —Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP, founder of Health, Education and Research Consulting and co-founder of the first Master of Science program in Clinical Herbal Medicine at the Maryland University of Integrative Health“The author skillfully explains the geographic distribution of 100 plant species and descriptions made by different cultures. Whoever wants to learn about different topics related to useful plant species can find them in this book. It includes luxurious illustrations from past centuries as well as current photographs. I invite people to read and enjoy the useful flora described in this beautiful book.” —Dr. Rocio Alarcon, PhD, ethnopharmacologist and founder of the Iamoe Center

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Book SynopsisThe go-to guide on mushroom farming and cultivation! This is a reference book for the next generation of DIY mycologists. Sandor Ellix Katz, author of The Art of Fermentation A clear, comprehensive guide that is a gift to amateur as well as professional mushroom growers. Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden In Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation, professional mushroom grower and biologist Tradd Cotter shares the results of his groundbreaking research gives, giving readers an A to Z guide for cultivating mushrooms – from sourcing laboratory equipment at low cost to starting cultures and spawn generation - without chemical or electrical input. Readers will learn: How to cultivate morels indoors and outdoors Indispensable descriptions of 25+ different genus of mushrooms Training mycelium to respond to specific contaminants Perpetuating spawn on cardboard without the use of electricity Preparing tinctures, powders and mushroom-infused honey Making an antibacterial mushroom cutting board How to grow mushrooms on your old denim jeans! Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation is aimed towards readers wanting to grow mushrooms without the use of pesticides, and the author takes this “organic” drive one step further by introducing an entirely new way of thinking – looking at the potential to grow mushrooms on just about anything, anywhere and by anyone.Trade ReviewLibrary Journal- "Microbiologist Cotter came to mushroom farming in his 20s and quickly became hooked. He shares his enthusiasm for the practice in this wide-ranging book, which covers topics of interest for the beginning hobbyist to the market farmer. Starting with general information about the mushroom life cycle and growing techniques, it progresses into innovative applications for mushrooms and educational ideas using fungi, and then gets into advanced systems. The title concludes with a guide to specific mushrooms and methods for growing them indoors and outdoors. Highlights of innovative techniques include growing media and guerilla urban mushroom producing. More advanced and experimental projects are fascinating, such as the potential for mushroom farming on a space ship and advice on ways to cultivate morels. Emphasized throughout are low-cost and sustainable methods, with several features on how to grow mushrooms without electricity and in disaster areas. Cotter describes the “mushroom rescue modules” he imagines being shipped to disaster relief areas that can provide food, mosquito control, and water purification. ­VERDICT Because this title covers a lot of ground it will be extremely useful for mushroom farming enthusiasts at any level.”Booklist- "Mushrooms 'are part of Nature’s decomposers and constructors, the agent of habitat renewal,' Cotter tells us. And mycoremediation is the use of mushrooms to create an effective biomass that can break down environmental and industrial pollutants. A microbiologist, mycologist, and organic gardener, Cotter takes a holistic approach, mindful of the mushroom’s life cycle and ecological role, in this challenging guide to the indoor and outdoor cultivation of edible mushroom varieties. He also provides information on medicinal, industrial, and ecologically remedial applications. His in-depth exploration extends beyond cultivation to 'healing the people and the planet.' The book’s four sections cover the fundamentals of mushroom cultivation; innovative applications and projects, including alcoholic beverages; advanced techniques and research, including mycoremediation; and detailed descriptions of selected mushrooms. With plenty of photographs and other illustrations and comprehensive back matter, including glossary, bibliography, list of resources and suppliers, and index, Cotter’s advanced how-to is best for those seeking serious mycological knowledge.”Publishers Weekly- "This comprehensive introduction to growing and utilizing fungi has something for all mushroom-inclined readers, be they individuals curious about growing edible fungi in their backyards or basements, prospective mushroom farmers setting up large growing systems, educators from kindergarten to college levels, or innovators experimenting with eco-friendly materials. In addition to providing step-by-step directions for growing mushrooms, the book foodies, amateur scientists, and activists with esoteric and advanced applications for them, such as mushroom-infused beers; 'mushroom modules' that can be used for food, water filtration, or insect control in disaster relief; and mushrooms that can be “trained” to break down specific contaminants. Both practical and passionate, Cotter offers extensive and detailed information about mushroom biology, propagation, and remediation for novices. This refreshing take goes beyond typical how-tos, which only provide rote directions and absolute answers. He has equal interest in encouraging budding mycologists, mushroom growers, and mycoremediators to observe, experiment, and add to the knowledge of this mysterious burgeoning field.”“Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation is a guide and inspiration for new and experienced mushroom cultivators alike. Tradd Cotter has done a great job of combining the complexity of mushroom cultivation with the intuitive simplicity of ‘small steps.’ Highly recommended for fungophiles as a great read and reference!” --Jim Gibson, past president, Colorado Mycological Society“Tradd Cotter has written a clear, comprehensive guide that is a gift to amateur as well as professional mushroom growers. The pages are enlivened by Cotter’s enthusiasm for the many possibilities that fungi offer, and his obvious familiarity with growing these marvelous creatures—not just theoretical knowledge—makes the book particularly valuable. This book opens the doors wide to a diverse and fascinating fungal world.”--Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture“Mushroom cultivation should be playing a much bigger role in our gardens and farms. Tradd Cotter’s Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation provides low-cost, easily accessible techniques for growing mushrooms indoors and outdoors, from home to commercial scale.”--Eric Toensmeier, author of Paradise Lot and Perennial Vegetables“This is a reference book for the next generation of DIY mycologists. It is a great practical guide to mushroom cultivation, starting with basic concepts and building from there to mycoremediation and experimental strain development. Tradd Cotter is a man with a mission, who has done and thought about all this a lot; he has learned to explain it with great clarity and in a simple and well-organized manner.”--Sandor Ellix Katz, fermentation revivalist and author of The Art of Fermentation and Wild Fermentation“Finally, an accessible resource covering a wide variety of mushroom-cultivation approaches. Tradd Cotter’s book fills an enormous need—I’ve been wishing for a resource like this for a long time. This is the kind of book I’ll keep nearby and will turn to often over the years. Any farmer or gardener who wishes to garner food or medicine value from wood needs to understand and cultivate mushrooms. And this is the best all-around manual I’ve seen.”--Ben Falk, author of The Resilient Farm and Homestead“Tradd Cotter has done a wonderful job sharing his practical experience in a well-organized way with illustrations that clearly underline the topics. Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation is an invaluable resource for teaching students about mushroom cultivation.”--Peter Oei, author of Mushroom Cultivation, director of horticulture innovation at InnovatieNetwerk, Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and founder of MeattheMushroom.nl and spore.nl.“Wow! Tradd Cotter is a genius of organic mushroom production. His step-by-step instructions and beautiful photography make this a must-have book.”--Robert Rogers, author of The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America

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Book SynopsisA full-color guide to psilocybin mushrooms?how to forage, identify, grow, and use them?with detailed descriptions, 300 stunning photographs, tips for dosing safely, and more, from a world-renowned mycologist.The past decade has seen an explosion of interest in using psilocybin (aka psychoactive or ?magic?) mushrooms for recreational and medicinal purposes.In this comprehensive, full-color reference, Paul Stamets offers descriptions and 300 photographs of more than 60 psilocybin varieties and their lookalikes common to North America, Europe, and Australasia. He outlines the history and cultural use of magic mushrooms in traditional rituals and ceremonies, their natural geographic distribution and habitats, and keys to growing your own mushroom patch. But perhaps most important, Stamets explains how to reliably distinguish between a non-poisonous, psychoactive mushroom and one of its highly toxic, even deadly, lookalikes.Packed with a lifetime of scientific and real-world research, Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats brings depth and understanding to an often-misunderstood topic. Revealing the potential of these powerful, mind-awakening fungi to help us live better, happier lives through micro- and macro-dosing, this handbook is an indispensable?and potentially lifesaving?addition to mushroom field guides from the biggest name in mycology.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive, fully-illustrated guide to the trees of Britain and non-Mediterranean Europe.This brand-new field guide to the trees of northern Europe contains some of the finest original tree illustrations ever produced. The introduction contains illustrations of the main leaves, buds, and firs you are likely to find, and these provide the starting point for identification by leading you to a ''key'' species.Within each tree family there is a list of key species and a guide to the most important features to look for when identifying a particular tree from that family. Then individual species are clearly described and a detailed illustration is given on the same page.Covering all the tree species found outside the major arboretums, from the olive tree to the eucalyptus, this is one of the most important tree guides to have appeared in the last 20 years. The illustrations are annotated with essential identification features, and the text highlights the most important things to look for

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Book SynopsisThe definitive field guide to the floristic wonder of the Alps.Walking through an Alpine meadow in late spring is one of Europe's great wildlife experiences the variety of flowers can be both dizzying and magical, while the prospect of identifying them can appear intimidating. This brilliant guide book provides the answer.Alpine Flowers covers every species that occurs in the alpine and subalpine zones more than 1,000 are covered with detailed descriptions and photographic coverage, with images of a further 700 rarer or accidental species included. Photographs have been carefully selected to allow key identification criteria to be pinpointed. Range maps are also included to show at a glance where the plants can regularly be found.Comprehensive yet portable, this book belongs in every Alpine naturalist's backpack.

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Book SynopsisThis compact compendium of 20 cross-stitch charts uses a limited and identical palette of threads for each project. There are 20 circular designs in the book, and each of the patterns is accompanied by a full-colour and symbol chart for 14-count Aida or 28-count evenweave linen. Each design concentrates on a flower or a floral group that captures the very essence of the shapes and colours of the plant. The designs include seasonal wreaths, vases and jugs brimming with colour, gardens with lovely cottages and birds, flowers in a landscape, and single beautiful blooms. Each project re-creates a little bit of nature. AUTHOR: Lesley Teare is a leading textile designer and needlecraft designer and the author of several books on cross-stitch designs, including Fantasy Cross Stitch and Oriental Cross Stitch. Many of her designs appear regularly in top needlework magazines.

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Book SynopsisFROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER,THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREESA simultaneously stimulating and soothing blend of nature writing and science Strongly encourages tree hugging for our own, human sake' Guardian Summer Reads 2021A powerful return to the forest, where trees have heartbeats and roots are like brains that extend underground. Where the colour green calms us, and the forest sharpens our senses.In The Heartbeat of Trees, renowned forester Peter Wohlleben draws on new scientific discoveries to show how humans are deeply connected to the natural world. In an era of climate change, many of us fear we've lost our connection to nature, but Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans to the forest remain alive and intact. We just have to know where to look.Drawing on science and cutting-edge research, The Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans can have with nature, exploring:the language of the forestthe consciousness of plantsand the eroding Trade Review‘A simultaneously stimulating and soothing blend of nature writing and science’ Guardian ‘Wohlleben confronts [climate change] directly. He is trenchant in his critique of tree plantations and wood-pellet-power plants, which claim to help the climate but, he argues, end up destabilizing it further’ New Yorker ‘[A] detailed, easy-to-read summary of what research has shown us about “the language of the forest, the consciousness of plants, and the eroding boundary between flora and fauna.” In this excellent and updated sequel to his The Hidden Life of Trees,[…] Wohlleben writes beautifully about the reciprocal bonds we can form with trees and all sorts of nature’ Psychology Today ‘It’s hard to dispute the book’s overall message; namely, that time spent in nature can serve as both a balm for anxiety and a bulwark against despair’ Globe and Mail ‘[An] eclectic look at humanity’s relationships with trees… Nature-minded readers will enjoy this episodic deep dive’ Publishers Weekly ‘Drawing on scientific evidence and his many years of experience, [Peter Wohlleben] extolls the wonders of the forest. A persuasive invitation to get outside and bathe in nature, perfect for tree huggers and fans of the author’s other books’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A return to the wonders of trees’ Booklist ‘[The Heartbeat of Trees] showcases the interconnectedness of humans and nature … Wohlleben takes a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating history, science, medicine, and mysticism. He balances poetic descriptions with analytical thoughts; beauty is at the heart of both. The result is a text that is full of wonder and insatiable curiosity, and that invites love for humanity and the natural world’ Foreword Reviews ‘[Like] a walk in the woods…[Wohlleben] urges hope, not despair, about our environmental malaise. [The Heartbeat of Trees] will appeal to fans of popular science and anyone curious about natural history’ Library Journal

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Book SynopsisExplore the colourful world of alpine flowers. This practical book will help you make a quick, reliable identification of each plant, with concise descriptions and illustrations for individual plants to enable differentiation from similar species. Flowers can be identified quickly from colour and shape. The notable characters of each plant are clearly highlighted. Covering 500 species, each with colour photographs, this compact guide is designed for walkers and botanists. For each plant the common name, scientific name, flowering time, plant height, protected status, and distribution (habitat and altitude) are described.Trade ReviewEuropeans sure know how to produce pithy guidebooks that are models of economic presentation. Hoppe’s compact guidebook is a standout. It covers Europe’s Alps, a 1200-km arc straddling (from west to east) France, Monaco, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia, including Germany to the north and Italy to the south... Hoppe is a valuable travel companion. -- Rudolf Schmid * Taxon *The overall goal of this book, though, is to provide a comprehensive guide to the alpine flowers, in their diversity and beauty. In this, I think the authors have done quite well. The guide lists 500 species, and the content is easy to read and provides an efficient overview. With some practice and regular use, this book will be a nice field guide for first use and occasional reference and will stimulate the user to seek additional information from more comprehensive textbooks. -- Peter Schroeder * Plant Science Bulletin *Table of ContentsAn introduction to alpine flowers; Alpine flowers by flower colour; Red flowers; White flowers; Blue flowers; Yellow flowers; Green/brown flowers; Index; Botanical terms illustrated; The Alps – map of the regions covered

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Book Synopsis'As a child, I just knew which plant to pick up and hold to my head for a headache to go away. Once I heard about the concept of a 'doctrine of signatures', I would just stand silently, in awe of nature talking to me, talking and talking in her silent, direct speech. The book of nature seemed so obviously spelled out, and in oddest contrast to what I learned in medical school. My professors seemed never to have heard of nature being vibrant and alive and brimming with patterns of energy that are right there for us to understand and use... This direct and primordial experience of being part of nature's omnipresent, cyclic course taught me more in the realm of no-words than any university ever could have.' -- Julia GravesDuring the Middle Ages, communicating with nature was called the 'doctrine of signatures', and it was an important part of the work of traditional healers and herbalists.The Language of Plants covers all aspects of the doctrine of signatures in an easily accessible format, so that everyone, whether nature lovers or healers, can learn to read the language of plants in connection with healing.

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