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.

Sunday Times Bestseller 'A paradigm-smashing chronicle of joyous entanglement' Charles Foster Waterstones Non-Fiction Book of the Month (September) Are trees social beings? How do trees live? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings? In The Hidden Life of Trees Peter Wohlleben makes the case that the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death and regeneration he has observed in his woodland. A walk in the woods will never be the same again.

Discover over 300 varieties of tree found in Britain and Europe with this new edition, in association with the RSPB From a Black Locust to a Downy Oak, discover over 300 varieties of tree, arranged by family and genu, with this pocket-sized guide. In-situ photographs and no nonsense notes covering anatomy and classification will help you identify them in the field quickly and accurately. Maps show you what trees to find where so you can plan your spotting and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest. An ideal guide for all the family.

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.

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.

Die Akasias, algemeen bekend as "doringbome", is waarskynlik the kenmerkendste en mees bekende groep bome in Afrika. Hulle is een van die grootste groepe en word gewoonlik met 'n tipiese Afrika landskap geassosieer. Hierdie omvattende boek, veldgids tot die Akasias van Suid-Afrika, maak dit maklik om Akasias te identifiseer en sluit in: 'n Volledige weergawe van al 48 erkende spesies, subspesies en varieteite van die genus Acacia wat binne die grense van Suid-Afrika voorkom, insluitende vier nuut beskryfde spesies. Kleur illustrasies van die mees belangrike aspekte rakende die identifikasie van hierdie plante. Bondige teks waarin die habitat, algemene voorkoms, hoofstam, lote, dorings, blare, bloeiwyse, peule en saad van elke vorm beskryf word. 'n Verspreidingskaart van elke vorm.