Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest Books

Book SynopsisIts compact, portable design encourages naturalists, local residents, boaters, researchers, and the curious-minded alike to throw the guide in their pack and explore the botanical bounty of the Chesapeake Bay.Trade ReviewPlants of the Chesapeake Bay deserves shelf space in the library of every Chesapeake boater who would like to understand how our Bay's ecosystem works. -- John Page Williams Chesapeake Bay Magazine Plants of the Chesapeake Bay is a beautiful book covering a beautiful region. ChoiceTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1. Plant Communities of the Chesapeak BayChapter 2. Plants of Hyper Saline HabitatsChapter 3. Plnats of Maritime HabitatsChapter 4. Plants of Brackish HabitatsChapter 5. Plants of Freshwater HabitatsAppendixScientific Names, Authors, and Families of Plants of the Chesapeake BayIndex of Scientific NamesGeneral Index

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Book SynopsisThe definitive examination of oak forest evolutionary ecology. Seed dispersal is a critical stage in the life cycle of most flowering plants. The process can have far-reaching effects on a species' biology, especially numerous aspects of its ecology and evolution. This is particularly the case for the oaks, in which the dispersal of the acorn is tied to numerous tree characteristics, as well as the behavior and ecology of the animals that feed on and move these seeds to their final destination. Forest structure, composition, and genetics often follow directly from the dispersal processwhile also influencing it in turn. In Oak Seed Dispersal, Michael A. Steele draws on three decades of field research across the globe (e.g., the United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, and China) to describe the interactions between oaks and their seed consumers. Rodents, birds, and insects, he writes, collectively influence the survival, movement, and germination of acorns, as well as the estabTable of ContentsForeword, by Stephen B. Vander WallPreface Chapter 1. Seed DispersalChapter 2. The Distribution, Diversity, and Evolution of the OaksChapter 3. The Oak Life CycleChapter 4. Masting in OaksChapter 5. The Oak Dispersal Process: Intrinsic Factors IChapter 6. The Oak Dispersal Process: Intrinsic Factors IIChapter 7. The Oak Dispersal Process: Extrinsic Factors IChapter 8. The Oak Dispersal Process: Extrinsic Factors IIChapter 9. The Rodents: Seed Predators or Seed Dispersers?Chapter 10. The Jays: A Different Kind of Oak Dispersal AgentChapter 11. The Mind of the ScatterhoarderChapter 12. The Insects: Acorn Predators, Parasites, or Commensals?Chapter 13. Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Oak Dispersal, Establishment, and RegenerationChapter 14. Threatened Oak Forests and Oak Forest ConservationChapter 15. Oak Dispersal and Oak-Animal Interactions: Looking ForwardLiterature CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisFlora Mirabilis is a sumptuously designed showcase of superb illustrations paired with fascinating stories of botanical exploration and trade through the ages. A collaboration between National Geographic and the world-renowned Missouri Botanical Garden, this book will prove an evergreen source of delight, not just for gardeners and flower aficionados, but for anyone interested in the plant world, human civilization, and their intertwined histories.From prehistory to the present day, Flora Mirabilis blossoms with legend and lore as it culls the most engrossing mysteries and adventures of plant exploration, science, and discovery and garlands them with astonishingly beautiful illustrations. These lavish pages are abloom with the rich details and engaging allure of beloved flowers, stunning gardens, ancient trees, medicinal herbs, and valuable plants of all varieties from around the world. Unique plant profiles chronicle the especially remarkable roles each plant has

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Book SynopsisFilled with photographs, art, and maps, this beginner's guide to wildflowers and weeds is perfectly sized for taking outside with you.

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Book SynopsisHandy, authoritative, and easy to read, National Geographic's series of beginners field guides continues to build its presence in the natural history field guide category with the release of a Pocket Guide to Trees.

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Book SynopsisBrimming with engaging writing and stirring photography, Forest is an ode to the natural world and a celebration of the relationship between humans and trees.Discover the secrets hidden within the Earth''s lush woodlands and wild landscapes through photographs and stories about enchanting forests, magnificent trees, and people who live off the land.Journeying across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, writer Matt Collins and photographer Roo Lewis capture the history, science, and human stories behind some of the most enchanting natural environments in the world. • Explores the captivating history behind some of the world''s most enchanting forests• Organized by tree species, including the hearty pines in Spain''s Tamada forest, the towering firs of the American West, the striking Birch groves of Germany''s Elbe Valley, and beyond• A blend of beautiful photographs, scientific trivia, and engaging human storiesForest is an arresting tribute to the magnificence of the natural world and a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys spending time in the outdoors.Complete with gorgeous photography and engaging stories of people living in harmony with nature, readers will learn everything they dream of knowing about the forests of the world. • A handsome gift for photographers, travel and outdoor enthusiasts, environmentalists, and science lovers• A stunning way to learn about the world and the trees that surround us• Great for readers who couldn''t get enough of The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, Ancient Trees by Beth Moon, and Wise Trees by Diane Cook and Len Jenshel

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Book SynopsisThe latest contribution from the unbeatable Andy MacKinnon and Jim Pojar features more than 500 plants found in the alpine regions of western North America from the Arctic to southern Oregon; includes trees, shrubs, flowering plants, grasses, mosses and lichens. Full colour throughout plus maps for each plant.

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Book SynopsisThe second most expensive food in the world after saffron, truffles are treasured, coveted, and savored for their mysterious and exotic flavor. This complete field guide shows chefs and fungi aficionados how to forage for and identify the wide variety of truffles that grow in temperate forests throughout North America. Written by expert horticulturalists who have studied, classified, and enjoyed truffles for decades, the FIELD GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN TRUFFLES makes these celebrated underground jewels accessible to all.    • The first full-color illustrated guide to identifying North American truffles by their key features, including profiles of more than 80 species of truffles.    • Includes more than 80 photographs of rare and hard-to-find truffle species.    • Features flavor profiles, delectability index, and culinary tips for each species.    • Perfect size for carrying in a pocket or daypack.Reviews"It''s the first book of its kind, complete with photographs, cross-sectional views of indigenous truffle varieties, guides to seasonal availability, and foraging tips for hundreds of kinds of truffles (both the edible and inedible kinds), as well as tasting notes and cooking tips."—Saveur

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Book SynopsisWhen it was first published, Roger Tory Peterson said of Weeds and Wildflowers in Winter (originally published as Wildflowers and Winter Weeds), "this book will be a joy to those wood-walkers and strollers who have been puzzled by the skeletal remains of herbaceous plants that they see in winter." And indeed, it has been in print for decades, helping both wood-walkers and botanists identify and better understand the weeds we see in winter. This charming guide identifies more than 135 common species of wildflowers and weeds found in the northeastern United States. Each plant is superbly illustrated with a full-page drawing accompanied by an elegant description of the plant's key characteristics. In addition, a step-by-step key to plant identifications and an illustrated glossary of common plant parts and botanical terms make this book an even more valuable resource. If you've ever wanted to know what those plants you see sticking up out the snow are, you'll appreciate this lovely, useful book.

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Book SynopsisNew York City, once a lush and verdant group of forested islands, is still home to a rich collection of diverse tree species, each with a story to tell about the city’s past. This gorgeous book by naturalist and photographer Benjamin Swett offers stunning color photographs, personal narratives, and fascinating historical observations about a select few of the thousands of trees that thrive in the five boroughs—from the sprawling New York Botanical Garden in spring bloom to the snow-laden residential blocks of Queens in winter. Swett’s warm and welcome voice adds depth and perspective to his collection, as well as an unmistakable charm unique to his city’s cosmopolitan character. The stories of these trees—some dating back to the Revolutionary era and before—link the living with the past in a visceral and engaging way that will leave readers with a renewed and lasting appreciation of their own environments. This book is a new edition to New York City of Trees.

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Book SynopsisSmell the bark of the aromatic Sassafras. Wonder at the Lodgepole Pine, whose heat-activated cones reseed forests destroyed by fire. Search for the Sugar Maple, whose foliage blazes red and yellow in autumn. North America''s trees rank among nature''s most awesome creations. This premier field guide features all characteristics-tree shape, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and twig-for quick identification, making it a superior choice for trail walks, creating displays, and scientific or commercial needs.-All of North America in one volume-Over 730 species in 76 families and 160 range maps-Native species and important introduced foreign varieties-Text, range maps, and illustrations seen together at a glance-Common and scientific names-Convenient measuring rules

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Book SynopsisThis Golden Guide describes and illustrates in full color more than 140 of our most common trees. Learn:-How to recognize tree shapes, flowers, buds, leaves, and fruits-Where each species grows-The parts of a tree and the various kinds of treesPerfect for nature lovers of all ages, this is an indispensable guide for everyone who wants to be able to recognize the different trees in North America.

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Book SynopsisCivilization is facing global threats like never before. Climate instability. Food insecurity. The endangered family farm. Water pollution and scarcity. Mass extinction. Converting agricultural land into more secure, climate-stabilizing, water-filtering, wildlife-harboring farms would be positively transformative. Luckily, there is a way, currently under development, to do just this in many temperate climates: hybrid hazelnuts. Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts is the first comprehensive guide for farmers interested in how to get started growing hybrid hazelnuts, a crop designed from the very outset to address a host of problems with conventional modern agriculture. Once hybrid hazelnuts are established, no plowing, or even cultivation, is necessary. Dramatically improved infiltration rates prevent water from running off of fields, regardless of soil type. The crop’s extensive, permanent root systems—at work 365 days a year—mean that tilling should not be necessary in moderately wet soils, and that no fertilizer can escape into groundwater. No soil is lost to wind or rain; in fact, this crop builds soil, and wildlife finds cover and food in hazelnuts all year. Economically speaking, hazelnuts have a large, existing, and unsatisfied world market, not to mention their processing potential is even greater than soybeans. They are, without a doubt, the ecological crop of the future. This book covers everything you need to know about NeoHybrid hazels, the new biological entity developed by the authors, including: • The source of the species and the making of an artificial, directed hybrid swarm; • The historical use of hazels as a staple food in Europe and Asia; • The nutrient composition of the crop; • The benefits of woody agriculture and the superior productivity of these hazels; • Site requirements: slope, soils, soil tests; • Planting and the establishment period; • Managing the productive plantation, including maintaining biodiversity; • When to harvest, and harvesting options (hand or machine); • Processing, from harvest to market: drying, husking, cleaning, sizing, cleaning, roasting; • Value-added options (oil, meal, nut butters); • Co-products and their values (wood, shells, husks, sub food-grade nuts, biodiesel); • The state of the world hazel market, and more The first and only guide of its kind, Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts will appeal to small-scale and commercial farmers, both those already familiar with concepts of perennial agriculture and those interested in converting from conventional practices. Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts is a landmark book for the farming movement, offering a practical road to a hopeful future where crops build soil and the earth is regenerated, at the same time reaping profits for the farmer.Trade ReviewBooklist- "In Western industrial nations, hazelnuts offer a familiar flavoring to confections such as pralines and popular aromatic coffees. If the authors of this distinctive horticultural guide have their way, however, hazelnuts will also be bred to resist the ravages of climate change and outstrip soybeans as a high demand, optimally sustainable crop worldwide. Developed and grown at the Badgersett Research Farm in Minnesota, where Rutter is the CEO, the hybrid plants recommended here are compact, densely yielding shrubs that require little cultivation, efficiently soak up water, and actually reverse soil erosion. Amazingly versatile, the hazelnut and its coproducts, including husks and shells, can be used not only for food but also for fuel and construction. Along with abundant photographs and useful charts, Rutter and his coauthors provide a wealth of information on growing-site requirements and management of a productive plantation, along with invaluable marketing tips. Their guide is a godsend for agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers desperate for newer, financially lucrative crops to replace those that have been, or may soon be, compromised by climate change.”"Anyone ready to innovate outside the box will be blown away by the vision and practical insights demonstrated in Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts. The eclectic blend of science and practical how-to information packed into this fascinating, readable book is enough to inspire a whole new generation of farmers. Turning soybean fields into hazelnut plantations is truly a vision for the stout-hearted pioneer futuristic farmer. Sign me up."--Joel Salatin, farmer and author"A more resilient future requires diverse and hardy food-bearing crops. Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts is an encyclopedia of the 'how-to' and 'why-for' of breeding, growing, harvesting and marketing this unique and important crop. We just planted 300 hazelnuts last year!”--Nathan John Hagens, Editor, TheOilDrum; President, Bottleneck Foundation"If you are dissatisfied with the current state of the annual based agriculture system currently dominated by corn and soy, then here is an alternative. This book is an action plan building off of Phil Rutter’s thirty years of experience, where you can become part of the actual on-the-ground change towards building a perennial woody system that conserves resources while providing for human needs."--Diego Footer, Founder of Permaculture Voices"This book is not only a testament to 40 years of dedicated hazel breeding work, but also a call for more tree crops for a sustainable agriculture in general; a fantastic manual about all aspects of cultivating hardy hazel trees and processing their nuts."--Martin Crawford, author of Creating a Forest Garden"The authors of Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts have been advocating woody-plant staple crops for carbon sequestration since I was in high school. This manual provides theory, context, budgets, and practical details like pest management and fertility for this important new crop. Worth the price for the information on their innovative hybrid swarm breeding system alone.”--Eric Toensmeier, author of Paradise Lot and coauthor of Edible Forest Gardens“Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts is a compelling work combining natural history, genetics, and ecology to form a rich strategy for breeding hardy, disease-resistant, and productive hazelnuts. The need for perennial staple crops is great, and the authors show that it takes time, integrity, and patience to develop a crop that will feed the world. This book not only completely covers hybrid hazelnut cultivation, it also offers a roadmap for breeding other crops if we are to get serious about regenerative perennial food production."--Steve Gabriel, coauthor of Farming the Woods

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Book SynopsisWinner — IACP 2019 Reference & Technical Cookbook Award From apples and oranges to pawpaws and persimmons "Sara Bir’s voice is quirky, informed, and fresh. The Fruit Forager’s Companion will push any soul who is interested in foraging into the curious world of fruits. . . . You want someone with passion and appetite to lead you on a foraging quest, and Sara has plenty of both."—Deborah Madison, author of Vegetable Literacy and In My Kitchen Half of the fruit that grows in yards and public spaces is never picked or eaten. Citrus trees are burdened with misshapen lemons, berries grow in tangled thickets on the roadside, and the crooked rows of abandoned orchards fill with fallen apples. At the same time, people yearn for an emotional connection that’s lacking in bland grocery store bananas and tasteless melons. The Fruit Forager’s Companion is a how-to guide with nearly 100 recipes devoted to the secret, sweet bounty just outside our front doors and ripe for the taking, from familiar apples and oranges to lesser-known pawpaws and mayhaws. Sara Bir—a seasoned chef, gardener, and forager—primes readers on foraging basics, demonstrates gathering and preservation techniques, and presents a suite of recipes including habanero crabapple jelly, lime pickle, pawpaw lemon curd, and fermented cranberry relish. Bir encourages readers to reconnect with nature and believes once the foraging mindset takes control, a new culinary world hiding in plain sight will reveal itself. Written in a witty and welcoming style, The Fruit Forager’s Companion is a must-have for seekers of both flavor and fun.Trade ReviewPublishers Weekly, Starred Review— "This charming and eminently useful guide from Paste magazine food editor and writer Bir deserves a spot on the bookshelf of any foraging foodie. Instead of serving up a simple list of fruits and vegetable with tips on canning, Bir weaves in personal anecdotes and trivia about, among other things, the advent of commercial pectin (patented in 1913) and the curious history of key limes (once pickled and served as snacks for schoolchildren). Bir offers solid takes on such standbys as lemon bars and sour cherry scones, but her ingenuity and the value of foraging comes to life with recipes like mulberry and peach cobbler with an almond topping, habanero crab apple jelly, and a pawpaw gelato. Bir also takes time to make sure foragers are clear on manners and ethics ('Forage legally and mindfully, on both public and private land'), as well as which poisonous plants and fruits to avoid (such as honeysuckle and pokeweed). Even if readers don’t have a lemon or apple tree in the backyard, they’re sure to find some useful advice, as Bir does an outstanding job of illustrating how to get the most out of simple, often neglected or discarded ingredients."Foreword Reviews, Starred Review "A Culinary Institute of America degree armed Sara Bir with cooking expertise, but it’s her clever writing and inquisitive, experimental mind that make The Fruit Forager’s Companion so exciting. This hybrid cookbook/plant guide/DIY manual entertains as much as it informs. Bir eloquently discusses why foraging is a satisfyingly sustainable, meditative way of collecting food, and of reconnecting to neighbors and to the natural environment. She provides reassuring information for novice and experienced cooks alike, dispensing advice on foraging etiquette (Don’t be a 'scrumper'—someone who steals apples from orchards) and thoroughly breaking down methods of harvesting, storage, and preservation, from canning to fermentation. Forty-one chapters on fruit species are packed with essays, photographs, recipes, and ideas for kitchen experimentation. There are also all-important tips on correctly identifying edible fruits and their poisonous look-alikes. While the book provides ample information on common fruits, the passages about unusual fruits, like sumac and loquats, are invaluable. Bir is well-versed in food history and foodways, leading to intriguing discussions of old- fashioned preservation methods and charming recipe ideas from 'wild cherry bounce' to pontack, which is a sort of elderberry Worcestershire sauce. This compendium delivers a wealth of Bir’s sassy opinions and effervescent prose. Whether she is expounding on the importance of lifelong exploration, the dangers of monoculture agribusiness, or describing ground cherries ('I delight in their lacy little hulls, the berries like golden pearls in a filigree setting') and rose hips ('If rose hips were women, the ones you’d want would look like R. Crumb drew them'), her writing exudes personality, wit, and intelligence. Bir is a learned, inventive guide whose sly humor and playful voice will win many over to become dedicated fruit scroungers and recipe explorers. Perusing this book will have you playing around with your food in no time, whether it’s mahonia or maypops, mayhaws or pawpaws." “Sara Bir’s voice is quirky, informed, and fresh. The Fruit Forager’s Companion will push any soul who is interested in foraging into the curious world of fruits, which are every bit as interesting as the vegetable members of the plant world. I just hope that she refrains from lifting my quince should she ever walk down our lane—I adore them, too! Which is to say that you want someone with passion and appetite to lead you on a foraging quest, and Sara Bir has plenty of both.”—Deborah Madison, author of Vegetable Literacy and In My Kitchen“Lyrically written and eminently useful, The Fruit Forager’s Companion is a welcome addition to the library of anyone interested in either preserving their own fruit harvest or seeking out new, exciting flavors that are literally growing on trees—often next door!”—Hank Shaw, wild foods expert; author of the James Beard Award-winning website Hunter Angler Gardener Cook“For fruit lovers the whole world is a culinary theme park; this book is your permanent admission pass. Let Sara Bir guide you to the untamed flavors of wild, feral, and neglected fruits—from back alleys and brushy waysides to city hedges and deep woods. After you find some brand new delicacy right in your own neighborhood, follow one of Sara’s luscious recipes, and invite Mom over for dinner.”—Samuel Thayer, author of Incredible Wild Edibles and The Forager’s Harvest“Once you notice the wild fruit growing all around you, the world becomes a landscape of culinary abundance, and Sara Bir’s The Fruit Forager’s Companion is a thoughtful guide to appreciating those foraged and gleaned fruits. Filled with Bir’s distinctive humor, the book, like stumbling upon a patch of black raspberries, is also fun! Bir’s respect for ingredients—those berries, apples, and pawpaws you’ve worked hard to pick—ensures the recipes accentuate each fruit’s unique flavor. With Bir’s guidance, your fruit-forward concoctions will be as transformative as the moment you discovered all those wild fruits were edible in the first place.”—Andrew Moore, author of Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit“Among reassuringly familiar fruit like neighborhood apples, lemons, and plums, chef-turned-forager Sara Bir also offers curious novice foragers more adventurous fare: invasive autumn olives and barberries, native chokeberries, Oregon grapes, pawpaws, and spicebush. The pages of The Fruit Forager’s Companion help you to identify, collect, and use the fruits of your forages. The author’s eloquent introduction tells you why you should.”—Marie Viljoen, author of Forage, Harvest, Feast“With The Fruit Forager’s Companion, Sara Bir provides not only a guide to foraging, but a manifesto for conscious living and a challenge to seek out the unknown. With creative recipes, thoughtful writing, and a wealth of expertise, she encourages us to explore in the kitchen as well as outside, inspiring the reader to create a better connection to where they live and to celebrate the local bounties that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.”—Anna Brones, author of Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break; founder and publisher, Comestible“The Fruit Forager’s Companion will be beloved by all those who travel through life scanning trees and shrubs for neighborhood fruit. Sara Bir has created something that is half foraging memoir and half cookbook, and it is utterly delightful in its totality.”—Marisa McClellan, author of Naturally Sweet Food in Jars“Lyrical and practical, introspective and funny, The Fruit Forager’s Companion inspires us to put on comfy shoes and head out into the local landscape with curiosity, confidence, and joy. Sara Bir knows that sweet, ripe treasures await us, from crab apples and blackberries to pawpaws, wild grapes, figs, and quince. This book offers fascinating entries on more than forty fruits and a hundred recipes for chutneys, soups, cordials, fools, and more. Bir’s knowledge, wit, and enthusiasm guide us outdoors for fruit foraging expeditions, and back home again to transform the seasonal fruits we’ve gathered into good things to eat and share.”—Nancie McDermott, author of Fruit and Southern Pies“Sara Bir’s common sense approach to foraging, along with an impish humor, make for a delightful, nourishing, very practical, and very human read. The Fruit Forager’s Companion is a book about love, community, and the abundance nature offers to us all if we have the eyes to see and the heart to hear, all revealed through the simple, graceful acts of picking, preparing, and sharing wild fruits with our loved ones and community.”—Robin Harford, founder of the website Eatweeds“The response to the lament ‘I’m hungry’ should not be, ‘Look in the fridge and see what you can find,’ but, ‘Take a walk and see what’s there.’ Sara Bir’s book provides a road map to wild and abandoned plants laden with food. As you read and explore with Bir you will be rewarded with the joy of discovery and often a satiated appetite. Perhaps you will even find a dead-ripe mulberry and have an ecstatic taste experience.”—Tom Burford, pomologist, historian, and author of Apples of North America “Once, we were foragers. Sara Bir says we can be again. She reveals the wealth of fruit waiting to be picked in wild and not-so-wild places, and she shows how foraging benefits the mind and body even if the forager returns empty-handed. The Fruit Forager’s Companion is more than just a guide to finding, gathering, preserving, and cooking. It is a meditation on modern life and how to find meaning in Nature’s larder.”—Mike Shanahan, author of Gods, Wasps and Stranglers“Foraging for fruit is all about noticing and making your move when things become ripe. In The Fruit Forager’s Companion, Sara Bir moves from city sidewalks to deep woods with a botanist’s eye and a chef’s skill. She boils, reduces, ferments, dips into history, and seasons with memoir; she gets in there and shouts wild flavors out with heat, sweet, salt, and vinegar. Let Bir’s inventive recipes and sheer derring-do pull you into the woods and make you a forager: a sampler of the best things in life, most of them free.”—Julie Zickefoose, author of Baby Birds, The Bluebird Effect, and Letters from Eden

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Book Synopsis"If you’re looking for a dose of wonder in your reading life, I recommend this beautiful book about the magic of fig trees."—Book Riot Over millions of years, fig trees have shaped our world, influenced our evolution, nourished our bodies and fed our imaginations. And as author and ecologist Mike Shanahan proclaims, “The best could be yet to come.” Gods, Wasps and Stranglers weaves together the mythology, history and ecology of one of the world’s most fascinating—and diverse—groups of plants, from their starring role in every major religion to their potential to restore rainforests, halt the loss of rare and endangered species and even limit climate change. In this lively and joyous book, Shanahan recounts the epic journeys of tiny fig wasps, whose eighty-million-year-old relationship with fig trees has helped them sustain more species of birds and mammals than any other trees; the curious habits of fig-dependent rhinoceros hornbills; figs’ connection to Krishna and Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad; and even their importance to Kenya’s struggle for independence. Ultimately, Gods, Wasps and Stranglers is a story about humanity’s relationship with nature, one that is as relevant to our future as it is to our past. Trade ReviewChoice Reviews- "Fig trees are found throughout the tropical world with over 800 species in the genus Ficus. Many figs have an elaborate pollination system in which tiny wasps mate inside of the fruit. This book considers the biology, ecology, natural history, and the historical/cultural importance of this interesting plant. An especially fascinating aspect of fig trees is that they are utilized in forest restoration efforts. For example, in Central America and Africa, scientists have planted mature fig tree branches to use as 'instant trees' in deforested areas. The fig trees attract animals and promote biodiversity in the immediate area. The author highlights how edible figs have been discovered in archaeological sites that date back to 13,000 years ago. The author also devotes several chapters to specific historical eras and notes that in the Bible, Adam and Eve used fig leaves to serve as clothing. The book contains many fine-quality line drawings to illustrate principles, such as how a wasp enters a fig and the natural variation in the morphology of figs. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers."Shelf Awareness, Starred Review- "Mike Shanahan's Gods, Wasps and Stranglers: The Secret History and Redemptive Future of Fig Trees is a deceptively brief account of the Ficus genus of trees in history, emphasizing but not limited to their relationship with humans. Shanahan brings the expertise of decades of ecological fieldwork and a bubbling enthusiasm to a topic clearly close to his heart. He makes a strong argument that his readers should be attuned to and excited about fig trees, too. The plant figures into the origin stories of cultures all over the world. Fig trees have provided food, shelter, medicine and materials to humans for as long as humans have existed: figs predate us by nearly 80 million years. Because of their contributions as keystone species in ecosystems around the world, figs offer distinctive services in reforestation efforts and the mitigation of climate change. They have contributed to the theory of evolution, the birth of agriculture and possibly humans' development of opposable thumbs. The story of the fig is inseparable from that of fig wasps, numerous tiny insect species that have evolved to pair respectively in symbiosis with individual species of fig. Shanahan relates all this and more in a joyous voice with occasional lyricism, as when 'the Buddhist monk's robe sang out loud saffron over the rainforest's muffled tones of brown and green and grey.’ Mythology, biology and hope for the future combine in this highly accessible story of the family of fig trees, with its profound ecological relevance. A joyful, celebratory world history of the fig tree and its ecological impact.”Booklist- "Fig trees, with their 'sinuous aerial roots,' hidden flowers, wondrous pollinators, and nourishing fruits, have sustained diverse ecosystems and civilizations for millennia. In this lively and mind-expanding mix of personal adventures, myth, religious history, and science, rain-forest ecologist and award-winning journalist Shanahan traces the intricate connection between humans and Ficus species. He cogently illuminates how fig trees were held sacred by various spiritual traditions around the world, including those of ancient Egypt and Greece, along with the fig tree’s place in the Buddha’s story and the Garden of Eden. He profiles intrepid fig-tree experts and vividly explains how tiny fig-wasps burrow into figs, lay eggs, and reemerge to distribute pollen, allowing the planet’s 750 Ficus species to thrive and feed 1,274 species of birds and mammals, including humans. Scientists now recognize that fig trees are “keystone resources” essential to sustaining life and foresee their playing a central role in forest restoration as we struggle with the consequences of environmental decimation and global warming. Shanahan’s spirited celebration of the fig tree as symbol and life force is richly entertaining and truly enlightening.”“In his insightful book, Gods, Wasps and Stranglers, Mike Shanahan combines poetry and science, history and humanity, to tell a story not only of the fig tree but of life on Earth in all its beautiful and astonishing complexity. In doing so, he reminds us of what a remarkable place we inhabit—and how much we should all want to protect and preserve it.”--Deborah Blum, director, Knight Science Journalism Program, MIT; author of The Poisoner’s Handbook“Surprising, engrossing, disturbing and promising, Gods, Wasps and Stranglers combines masterful storytelling and spellbinding science. This is a beautifully written and important book about trees that have shaped human destiny.”--Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus“The complex web of ecological connections between fig trees, tropical forest animals and plants, as well as people and human culture is nothing short of a marvel. Gods, Wasps and Stranglers is a page-turner and a revelation: You will never again think of a fig as just something to eat. There is no better way to introduce the complexity and wonder of nature—and our intricate relationship with it. A must read.”--Thomas E. Lovejoy, University Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University; fellow, National Geographic Society“This book concerns the stunningly versatile and ancient family of fig trees now being used as a framework species to restore damaged tropical forests. Figs are not only considered the keystone species in forests but are perhaps the world’s most perfect tree—they provide highly nutritious fruits with health-giving and medicinal qualities. They attract birds and animals. They grow very rapidly and produce abundant fruits in a few years. They make shade and shelter, their deep powerful roots can break up compacted soils, they draw up water, they prevent erosion, and they have important spiritual qualities. The tree in the Garden of Eden was very likely not an apple but a fig.”--Annie Proulx“In Gods, Wasps and Stranglers, rainforest ecologist Mike Shanahan charts a lifelong love affair with figs, one that has taken him from India to Kenya, through temples and rainforests, all in search of a deeper understanding of what he describes as ‘humanity’s relationship with nature.’ The fig becomes a tasty lens that reveals not only the fruit’s cultural and biological significance but our relationship to that which most deeply nourishes us.”--Simran Sethi, author of Bread, Wine, Chocolate“A real labour of love, concisely and elegantly told.”--Fred Pearce, author; environmental consultant for New Scientist

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Book SynopsisA must-have for naturalists and plant lovers in the Pacific NorthwestTrees and Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest is a comprehensive field guide to commonly found woody plants in the region. It features introductory chapters on the native landscape and plant entries that detail the family, scientific and common name, flowering seasons, and size. This must-have guide is for hikers, nature lovers, plant geeks, and anyone who wants to know more about the many plants of the Pacific Northwest. ·Includes photographs and descriptions of 568 species of woody plants ·Covers Oregon, Washington, northern California, and British Columbia ·Introductory chapters discuss the ecoregions, habitats, and microhabitats of the Pacific Northwest ·User-friendly organization by leaf type

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Book SynopsisUsing native plants in a garden has many benefits. They attract beneficial wildlife and insects, they allow a gardener to create a garden that reflects the native beauty of the region, and they make a garden more sustainable. Because of all this, they are an increasingly popular plant choice for home and public gardens.Native Plants of the Southeast shows you how to choose the best native plants and how to use them in the garden. This complete guide is an invaluable resource, with plant profiles for over 460 species of trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. Comprehensive lists recommend particular plants for difficult situations, as well as plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the CBHL Award of Excellence California is one of the most ecologically rich and diverse regions of North America, and home to hundreds of species of mushrooms. In California Mushrooms, mycologist experts Dennis Desjardin, Michael Wood, and Fred Stevens provide over 1100 species profiles, including comprehensive descriptions and spectacular photographs. Each profile includes information on macro- and micromorphology, habitat, edibility, and comparisons with closely related species and potential look-alikes. Although the focus of the book is on mushrooms of California, over 90% of the species treated occur elsewhere, making the book useful throughout western North America. This complete reference covers everything necessary for the mushroom hunter to accurately identify over 650 species.

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Book SynopsisAn essential reference for wildflower enthusiasts, hikers, and naturalistsWildflowers of New England is a compact, beautifully illustrated guide packed with descriptions and photographs of thousands of the region’s most important wildflowers. It includes annuals, perennials, and biennials, both native and naturalized. ·Covers Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont ·Describes and illustrates more than 1,000 species ·1,100 beautiful color photographs ·User-friendly organization by color and shape ·Authoritative trailside reference from the region’s wildflowers experts

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive field guide to the wildflowers of the Lone Star State In Wildflowers of Texas, Michael Eason describes and illustrates more than 1,100 commonly encountered species, both native and introduced. The book is organized by flower color, with helpful color coding along the page edges making it easy to navigate. ·Covers all ecoregions of Texas ·Describes and illustrates more than 1200 species ·Includes perennials, annuals, and subshrubs, both native and nonnative ·1230 beautiful color photographs ·User-friendly organization by flower color ·Authoritative trailside reference

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Book Synopsis“This comprehensive, accessible, full-color guide includes plant profiles, step-by-step instructions for essential herbal remedies and seasonal foraging tips.” —Natural Awakenings Chicago In Midwest Medicinal Plants, Lisa Rose is your trusted guide to finding, identifying, harvesting, and using 120 of the region’s most powerful wild plants. You’ll learn how to safely and ethically forage and how to use wild plants in herbal medicines including teas, tinctures, and salves. Plant profiles include clear, color photographs, identification tips, medicinal uses and herbal preparations, and harvesting suggestions. Lists of what to forage for each season makes the guide useful year-round. Thorough, comprehensive, and safe, this is a must-have for foragers, naturalists, and herbalists in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

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Book Synopsis“A stunning look at the natural abundance of the mountain states—with clear guidance on identification, gathering techniques, and uses.” —Jennifer McGruther, author of The Nourished Kitchen The Mountain States offer a veritable feast for foragers, and with Briana Wiles as your trusted guide you will learn how to safely find and identify an abundance of delicious wild plants. The plant profiles in Mountain States Foraging include clear, color photographs, identification tips, guidance on how to ethically harvest, and suggestions for eating and preserving. A handy seasonal planner details which plants are available during every season. Thorough, comprehensive, and safe, this is a must-have for foragers in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and northern Nevada.

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Book SynopsisAn essential reference for mushroom enthusiasts, hikers, and naturalistsMushrooms of the Southeast is a compact, beautifully illustrated guide packed with descriptions and photographs of hundreds of the region’s most important mushrooms. In addition to profiles on individual species, the book also includes a general discussion and definition of fungi, information on where to find mushrooms and collection guidelines, an overview of fungus ecology, and information on mushroom poisoning and how to avoid it. ·Fully illustrates 330 species and discusses more than 1,000 of the region’s most conspicuous, distinctive, interesting, and ecologically important mushrooms ·Covers northern Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia ·Helpful keys for identification ·Clear, color-coded layout

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Book SynopsisFinding wildflowers has never been easier!Wildflowers of the Atlantic Southeast is an authoritative trail-side reference for hikers, naturalists, gardeners, and anyone wishing to learn more about the region’s diverse flora. This comprehensive guide describes and illustrates more than 1,200 species, including perennials and annuals, both native and naturalized non-native. More than 1,300 superb color photographs, 1,200 range maps, and a user-friendly organization by color and other observable traits make identification easy. ·Covers Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania ·Describes and illustrates more than 1200 species ·Includes perennials and annuals, both native and naturalized non-native ·1337 superb color photographs, 1218 range maps, 1 regional map ·User-friendly organization by flower color and other, easily observable plant features

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