Plants provide the food, shelter, medicines, and biomass that underlie sustainable life. One of the earliest and often overlooked uses of plants is the production of smoke, dating to the time of early hominid species. Plant-derived smoke has had an enormous socio-economic impact throughout human history, being burned for medicinal and recreational purposes, magico-religious ceremonies, pest control, food preservation, and flavoring, perfumes, and incense. In ten illustrated chapters, this global compendium documents and describes approximately 2,000 global uses for over 1,400 plant species. The Uses and Abuses of Plant-Derived Smoke is accessibly written and provides a wealth of information not only on human uses, but also on conservation issues and the role of smoke, fire, and heat in promoting seed germination in biodiversity hot spots. Divided into nine main categories of use, the compendium lists plant-derived smoke's the medicinal, historical, ceremonial, ritual and recreational uses. Plant use in the production of incense and to preserve and flavor foods and beverages is also included. Each entry includes full binomial names and family, an identification of the person who named the plant, as well as numerous references to and other scholarly texts. Of particular interest will be plants such as Tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum), Boswellia spp (frankincense), and Datura stramonium (smoked as a treatment for asthma all over the world), all of which are described in great detail. In addition, this is one of the first ethnobotanical books to include a section on plant conservation. It addresses issues of over-harvest and invasiveness, the two primary conservation concerns with human-exploited species.

Packed full of information, "Scottish Wild Flowers" is an ideal guide for both visitors and residents of Scotland who wish to learn about the fascinating wealth of wild flowers that can be found there. Each species is illustrated in full colour with a comprehensive description, plus the plant's English, Latin and Gaelic names. For ease of use, the plants are grouped together by the type of habitat in which they can be found, including Highlands, Lowlands and Coasts. Habitats are arranged from those most influenced by humans, progressing towards wilder and more remote areas. The book includes a section with up-to-date details about places of interest and the best sites for finding some of the most attractive and special species of wild flowers in Scotland.

This book offers 10 'recipes' for Woodland adventures, each structured around a story which is designed to capture the imagination of 2-6 year olds. Each recipe provides parents and carers with a list of the kit required (generally, simple household objects) and a set of step by step instructions. A strong addition to the successful Frances Lincoln creative parenting list, this book focuses on activities for younger children, and connects with the fast-growing Forest School movement.

Back in print just in time for spring! Originally published in 1948, this is the germinal text on nearly 250 species of spring wildflowers found in West Virginia. Common or English names and scientific or Latin names are given for each species. The descriptions are in two sections: The first description includes the meaning of the name of the flower, uses, habitats, and ranges in West Virginia. Secondly, the plant itself is described in deep detail to help in identification. Each description is accompanied by a facing page detailed line drawing. This book is a must have for those interested in the beauty and science of West Virginia's spring flora.

Ireland, the Emerald Isle, is famous for its checkerboard landscape of green fields and hedgerows. Its coast showcases sandy beaches, mudflats and saltmarshes, Atlantic Rainforests, rocky shores and cliffs, all home to a staggering variety of wildlife. Ireland's coastal waters are among the best in Europe to see whales and dolphins and other rare marine animals. The Crossbill Guide Ireland is the authoritative wildlife and nature travel guidebook to that island and includes both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The book provides insights into how this varied landscape came into being with a description of its flora and fauna. The book combines this background with carefully selected hiking and driving routes that cover the best places to discover Ireland's wildlife and ecosystems. If you want to explore Ireland's wild side, this is the book you need.