Imagine a typical morning--munching on a bowl of cereal, sipping coffee, dressing for the day, riding to work. Every moment of this common routine draws on the power of plants, and the centuries of development that brought wheat, coffee beans, cotton, and rubber--among many others--into our daily lives.
"Remarkable Plants "celebrates the wonder and utility of the green kingdom, taking a detailed look at how plants have shaped our world. It focuses on eighty key species and richly explores their history, highlighting their importance and bringing to light surprising stories. Organized thematically into eight sections, the book starts with "Transformers" (including rice, beans, olives) and moves through sections such as "Heal and Harm" (poppy, aloe, strychnos) and "Revered and Adored" (lotus, frankincense, rose). Each species is introduced with its common and scientific names and followed by an exploration of its cultural, historical, botanical, and symbolic associations. Hundreds of botanical illustrations show full plants as well as highlight distinctive leaves, blooms, and fruits.
Rooted in one of the world's most important and renowned temples of greenery, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, "Remarkable Plants "is a symbiotic balance of science and art that will open readers' eyes to the deep influence of the natural world on our modern one.

Neither plant nor animal, mushrooms or fungi are mysterious organisms that range in size from microscopic to over a metre wide. Fungus groups are amazingly diverse and in South Africa alone there are estimated to be more than 171 500 species.

Pocket guide: Mushrooms of South Africa features a selection of the species more commonly found in the region, and will enable enthusiasts to identify these mushrooms in the field. Easy to use and compact, this pocket guide will prove invaluable on outings into the countryside.

Out of all the trees in the world, the ash is most closely bound up with who we are: the tree we have made the greatest and most varied use of over the course of human history. One frigid winter morning, Robert Penn lovingly selected an ash tree and cut it down. He wanted to see how many beautiful, handmade objects could be made from it. Thus begins an adventure of craftsmanship and discovery. Penn visits the shops of modern-day woodworkers-whose expertise has been handed down through generations-and finds that ancient woodworking techniques are far from dead. He introduces artisans who create a flawless axe handle, a rugged and true wagon wheel, a deadly bow and arrow, an Olympic-grade toboggan, and many other handmade objects using their knowledge of ash's unique properties. Penn connects our daily lives back to the natural woodlands that once dominated our landscapes. Throughout his travels-from his home in Wales, across Europe, and America-Penn makes a case for the continued and better use of the ash tree as a sustainable resource and reveals some of the dire threats to our ash trees. The emerald ash borer, a voracious and destructive beetle, has killed tens of millions of ash trees across North America since 2002. Unless we are prepared to act now and better value our trees, Penn argues, the ash tree and its many magnificent contributions to mankind will become a thing of the past. This exuberant tale of nature, human ingenuity, and the pleasure of making things by hand chronicles how the urge to understand and appreciate trees still runs through us all like grain through wood.

This invaluable book provides an illustrated ecology of eastern seashore habitats, including the ocean and continental shelf, the intertidal zone, sand dunes and beaches, and salt marshes. Donald D. Cox uses nontechnical terminology in order to provide clear references for the general public as well as professional and amateur naturalists and students. He explores the origins of the oceans, tides, wind belts, and land plants and includes useful illustrations for aid in identification. Most significantly, this guide brings together a wide range of information relative to ocean and seashore ecosystems. Cox includes the types of plants that grow near the seashore; adaptations that help plants survive in seashore habitats; poisonous, medicinal, and edible plants of the ocean and seashore; seasonal changes in the seashore habitat; and methods of naming plants and the folklore of common names. The author also provides complete and accurate details for those readers who are interested in collecting plants and preserving plant collections. The final chapter offers non-technical investigations, activities, and projects. Conservation and habitat preservation are emphasized throughout the book.

Scotland's plants define its landscape - from the heather moorlands of its iconic habitats to the weeds and a garden plants of its towns and cities. Plants have shaped the country's domestic economy and culture over centuries, providing resources for agriculture and industry as well as food, drink and medicines. They have even inspired children's games and been used as components in magical charms Drawing together traditional knowledge from archives and oral histories with the work of some of the country's finest botanical artists, this book is a magnificent celebration of the enormous wealth of Scottish plant lore.

From one of our greatest science writers, this biography of a beech-and-bluebell wood through diverse moods and changing seasons combines stunning natural history with the ancient history of the countryside to tell the full story of the British landscape. Guided by his abiding love of nature and a lifetime of scientific expertise, Richard Fortey takes us on a journey through ecosystems and time. The Wood for the Trees is the story of humankind meeting nature, an homage to the mesmerising interactions between flora, fauna and fungi. Discover the lives of animals and plants; the passage of seasons; visits by fellow enthusiasts; the play of light between branches; the influence of geology; and how woodland has shaped history, architecture, and industry. On every page Fortey shows how an intimate study of one small wood can reveal so much about the natural world, and demonstrates his relish for the incomparable pleasures of discovery.

Wildflowers of New York in Color is a field guide that will give nature enthusiasts instant access to the diverse and beautiful flora of the state. It contains over 350 photographs and concise descriptions, written in easy-to-follow, non-technical language. The color illustrations have been selected for their scientific accuracy as well as their aesthetic quality. This field guide is keyed in a manner that easily leads the reader to major groups based on flower color and other physical characteristics. Wildflowers of New York in Color contains descriptions of both commonly encountered and rarer, protected species. Included are color illustrations and descriptions of species not seen in other field guides. Nomenclature has been updated to reflect current usage.

An essential guide to every species of tree found in the British Isles outside of arboretums This easy-to-use guide covers the 360 species of tree that are found in Britain & Ireland. Each species is covered in detail with information on how to identify, whether from a leaf, twig, bark or whole tree, plus extra information on where the tree grows (including a map), how high they grow, what uses the tree is used for and its unique history. Every species is also comprehensively illustrated with photographs of every useful feature - bark, leaf, seed, flower, twig and whole tree. Sample identification section: Silver Birch Betula pendula (Betulaceae) height to 26m A slender, fast-growing deciduous tree with a narrow, tapering crown when young and growing vigorously. Older trees acquire a weeping habit, especially if growing in an open, uncrowded situation.

Step into a forest in your home with this beautifully designed book. The Tree invites the steadfast, calming and meditative atmosphere of the woodland into your hands and home. From the sturdy oak to the fragrant magnolia, the sweet orange and enticing cocoa, these green companions are brought to life with an innovative paper design allowing you to press each illustration out of the page, transforming your book into a lovely object. Humankind has long had a deep connection with trees, and woodland conservation expert Steve Marsh shares the ancient folklore, unique characteristics and identifying features of over 50 beloved and revered species. This delightful woodland exploration is the perfect gift for any lover of trees. To see how your Paperscapes book transforms, check out the video below (just above the reviews) or have a look at the Paperscapes author page.

This book is a helpful guide to identifying 500 species of Florida plant life, including rare as well as common wild flowers and characteristic trees, shrubs, vines, and ferns. Each description includes both common and scientific names, a range map, symbols to show the season of bloom, and a useful summary code of nine key plant, leaf, and flower characters, to aid in identification. With rich color photographs and brief, nontechnical notes to accompany each species, this handbook is a valuable reference for tourists, residents, students, and anyone interested in plants in all seasons of the year, from Pensacola to the Keys.

Fill your home with gorgeous flowers every day with this beautifully designed book. The Flower Garden brings to life over 50 varieties of flower with exquisite botanical illustrations. The innovative paper design allows you to press each illustration out of the page, transforming your book into a lovely object for you to display. Sunflowers, lilies, frangipani and birds of paradise are brought into your home and described in lyrical detail by botanist Michael Scott. This stunning bunch of blooms is the perfect gift for any lover of flowers to treasure for years to come. To see how your Paperscapes book transforms, check out the video below (just above the reviews) or have a look at the Paperscapes author page.

Begin your lifelong love affair with the mindful art of bonsai. Do you know your shari from your nebari? Can you tell literati styling from informal upright? Want to know how to create that gnarled and twisted look? Let Happy Bonsai guide you along the path to enlightenment, with care and display profiles for 40 top trees and fully illustrated step-by-steps of more than 20 bonsai techniques and styles. Find your perfect tree and discover how to prune, shape, and tend to its needs to create a beautiful living sculpture. Fall in love with this most meditative of garden crafts.

Even in the brick and concrete heart of our cities, nature finds a way. Birds and mammals, insects, plants and trees - they all manage to thrive in the urban jungle, and Bob Gilbert is their champion and their chronicler. He explores the hidden wildlife of the inner city and its edgelands, finding unexpected beauty in the cracks and crannies, and uncovering the deep and essential relationship that exists between people and nature when they are bound together in such close proximity. Beginning from Poplar, the East End area in which he lives, Bob explores, in particular, our relationship with the trees that have helped shape London; from the original wildwood through to the street trees of today. He draws from history and natural history, poetry and painting, myth and magic, and a great deal of walking, observing and listening.

Featuring 60 superb color plates, this is an easy-to-use photographic identification guide to the 51 orchid species native to Britain and Ireland, including their various forms, and 9 species of uncertain provenance. The text includes key identification information, flowering and germination times, and differences between similar species and subspecies. Color distribution maps show where each species has been seen in the past 25 years, while the accompanying text indicates its current location. It is a comprehensive photographic guide to the orchids of Britain and Ireland, covering the 51 species recorded, including all the varieties and subspecies, as well as 9 species of uncertain or doubtful provenance. It contains 60 stunning color plates that show the whole plant and close-up views of flower spikes and individual florets. Each species account covers the identification of the plant, highlighting potentially confusing species. Where appropriate, details are given of the hybrids recorded and a summary of the taxonomic status. The species accounts also include information on habitat requirements, pollination, and conservation. Color distribution maps and a summary of the flowering period(s) accompany the text for each species. Additional illustrated sections cover orchid biology and ecology, protection, conservation, and hybrids. The innovative, easy-to-use format aims to help the orchid enthusiast, whether beginner or expert, to identify any species they encounter.

The array of bottles is impressive, their contents finely tuned to varied tastes. But they all share the same roots in Mesoamerica's natural bounty and human culture. The drink is tequila--more properly, "mescal de tequila," the first mescal to be codified and recognized by its geographic origin and the only one known internationally by that name. In "ATequila! A Natural and Cultural History," Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata, the leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry, and Gary Paul Nabhan, one of America's most respected ethnobotanists, plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce the natural history, economics, and cultural significance of the plants cultivated for its production. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan take you into the agave fields of Mexico to convey their passion for the century plant and its popular by-product. In the labor-intensive business of producing quality mescal, the cultivation of "tequila azul" is maintained through traditional techniques passed down over generations. They tell how "jimadores" seek out the mature agaves, strip the leaves, and remove the heavy heads from the field; then they reveal how the roasting and fermentation process brings out the flavors that cosmopolitan palates crave. Today in Oaxaca it's not unusual to find small-scale mescal-makers vending their wares in the market plaza, while in Jalisco the scale of distillation facilities found near the town of Tequila would be unrecognizable to old JosA(c) Cuervo. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan trace tequila's progress from its modest beginnings to one of the world's favored spirits, tell how innovations from cross-cultural exchanges made fortunes for Cuervo and other distillers, and explain howthe meteoric rise in tequila prices is due to an epidemic--one they predicted would occur--linked to the industry's cultivation of just one type of agave. The tequila industry today markets more than four hundred distinct products through a variety of strategies that heighten the liquor's mystique, and this book will educate readers about the grades of tequila, from blanco to aAejo, and marks of distinction for connoisseurs who pay up to two thousand dollars for a bottle. "ATequila! A Natural and Cultural History" will feed anyone's passion for the gift of the blue agave as it heightens their appreciation for its rich heritage.

Donald D. Cox brings together a wide range of information about the forests of eastern North America, including the origins and types of soils and their relationships to vegetation, climate, and human culture; the members of the plant kingdom and the fungi that are found in forests; the methods by which forest plants reproduce and disperse their seeds; and toxic, medicinal, and edible plants that grow in forests. Cox provides complete and accurate details for those readers who are interested in collecting forest plants and preserving plant collections. For readers who wish to go a step beyond identifying and collecting plants, the final chapter describes non-technical investigations, activities, and projects. The author emphasizes forest conservation and habitat preservation throughout this invaluable book.

This handy, easy-to-use guide book for tour guides, tourists and students details 322 plant species – all the common herbaceous (non-woody) plants of the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Makgadikgadi pans and the Kalahari.

The grasses are placed in their own section, but the rest of the book is arranged by flower colour. A separate 'quick reference' to water plants aids identification.

English, Setswana and Afrikaans common names are provided where available. The book details medicinal, food and other uses; also included are plant-related superstitions, toxicity, associated insects and other interesting facts. The uses are listed alphabetically at the back, serving as a kind of 'survival guide' in the bush.

The Quick Guide for Sedges of the Northern Forest contains two double-sided photographic charts that allow users to see high-res, close-up images of the more than 200 sedges in the Northern Forest region. The map-sized folding charts are water-resistant and field-friendly, the perfect companion to the Photographic Guide. This product was produced by the Northern Forest Atlas Foundation.

The Scout's Guide to Wild Edibles is a National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) winner in the Nature Guidebook category. Ever seen a tasty-looking plant or mushroom in a yard or forest but weren't sure if it would taste good...or even be edible? In The Scout's Guide to Wild Edibles, renowned forager Mike Krebill profiles 40 widely-found edible wild plants and mushrooms of North America, in a guide small enough to fit right in a pocket. The author offers clear color photos and positive-ID tips for each plant, along with lip-smacking recipes and engaging projects and activities for all skill levels. The Scout's Guide will help foragers locate, identify and safely enjoy wild edibles - with the added satisfaction of knowing exactly where their food came from. This is one of those "especially for now" kinds of books for the challenging times we are in.

This handy, practical guide offers a quick way for beginners to identify mushrooms and toadstools "Collins Gem Mushrooms" describes almost 240 species of mushrooms and toadstools to be commonly found in Britain. Portable and clear, it is the ideal guide for those out foraging for fungi! Each mushroom or toadstool entry includes a photograph, illustration, and clear description of its appearance; details of size, habitat, and when it can be found; whether it is edible or poisonous, the names of similar species with which the mushrooms or toadstools could be confused, and details of the differences between them.