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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Plant life: general
How the prized matsutake mushroom is remaking human communities in
China-and providing new ways to understand human and
more-than-human worlds What a Mushroom Lives For pushes today's
mushroom renaissance in compelling new directions. For centuries,
Western science has promoted a human- and animal-centric framework
of what counts as action, agency, movement, and behavior. But, as
Michael Hathaway shows, the world-making capacities of mushrooms
radically challenge this orthodoxy by revealing the lively dynamism
of all forms of life. The book tells the fascinating story of one
particularly prized species, the matsutake, and the astonishing
ways it is silently yet powerfully shaping worlds, from the Tibetan
plateau to the mushrooms' final destination in Japan. Many Tibetan
and Yi people have dedicated their lives to picking and selling
this mushroom-a delicacy that drives a multibillion-dollar global
trade network and that still grows only in the wild, despite
scientists' intensive efforts to cultivate it in urban labs. But
this is far from a simple story of humans exploiting a passive,
edible commodity. Rather, the book reveals the complex, symbiotic
ways that mushrooms, plants, humans, and other animals interact. It
explores how the world looks to the mushrooms, as well as to the
people who have grown rich harvesting them. A surprise-filled
journey into science and human culture, this exciting and
provocative book shows how fungi shape our planet and our lives in
strange, diverse, and often unimaginable ways.
Plants and Habitats combines the species and habitat approaches to
plants and vegetation. Most of it is an identification guide to 700
plant species selected as those which are common, conspicuous or
useful ecological indicators; species which collectively make up
most of the vegetation in Britain and Ireland. There is also a
separate habitats section describing the flora, ecology and
management of habitats. With this combination of approaches Plants
and Habitats aims to help people understand our vegetation at all
scales, from individual plants to whole landscapes. The structure
and plain English writing style are designed to help with species
identification by non-specialists.Plants and Habitats is
illustrated throughout with colour photos and some line drawings.
For those working with habitat classifications, National Vegetation
Classification (NVC) codes are incorporated throughout and there
are summary tables cross-referencing various classifications. The
book is written for a wide readership including those working or
training in subjects connected with ecology, conservation, land
management, and other environmental matters.
These natural history guides have been developed to encourage young people and anyone with a budding interest in natural history to learn about the wonders of southern Africa's fascinating fauna and flora. They are an invaluable resource for the beginner, providing information at a glance: each of the species presented is described in easy-to-read text, with a photograph and distribution map. A short introduction gives context to the topic.
When and how did we humans lose our connection with nature - and
how do we find it again? Matthew Yeomans seeks to answer these
questions as he walks more than 300 miles through the ancient and
modern forests of Wales, losing himself in their stories (and on
the odd unexpected diversion, too). Return to My Trees weaves
together history and folklore with tales of industrial progress and
decay. On his journey, he visits landmarks that once were home to
ancient Druids, early Celtic saints, Norman Lords and the great
mining communities that reshaped Wales. He becomes immersed in the
woodlands that inspired the country's great legends. At one point
he even stumbles upon a herd of television-watching cows. As
Yeomans walks, he reflects on these woods' uncertain future, his
own relationship with nature and the global problems we need to
solve if humans are to truly make peace with the natural world.
from tree-planting in ways that are actually beneficial to the
environment and local communities to embedding the value of nature
into our financial and economic systems. The result is a
fascinating and funny adventure that offers insight into the past,
present and future of Wales's woodlands and shows what the rest of
the world can learn from them.
Our forests, with their billions of trees, are the backbone of
agriculture, the skeleton of lumbering, and the heart of industry.
Even now, in spite of their depletion, they are the cream of our
natural resources. They furnish wood for the nation, pasture for
thousands of cattle and sheep, and water supply for countless
cities and farms. They are the dominions of wild life. Millions of
birds, game animals, and fish live in the forests and the forest
streams. The time is coming when our forests will be the greatest
playgrounds of America. It is necessary that we preserve, protect,
and expand our timberlands. By so doing we shall provide for the
needs of future generations.
The debt medicine owes to botany is not commonly appreciated. In
the past, medicine relied almost entirely on plants, and even
today, many western medicines are plant derived. Despite this,
historians have largely neglected the study of domestic medicine,
practised by the ordinary person and passed down through
generations, in favour of 'official medicine'. The History of
Domestic Plant Medicine brings together manuscripts, letters,
diaries, personal oral interviews and other primary evidence to
produce a detailed picture of the medicinal use of native plants in
Britain from 1700 to the present day. Recording for posterity this
neglected aspect of our heritage, it is a valuable contribution to
the study of the folklore of modern Britain and a fascinating piece
of social history.
This is a book that will be a great comfort to those who need it'
Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth
'Unforgettable, necessary. This beautiful book is a map, compass
and ration of courage for anyone arrived in the landscape of sudden
loss. Full of love and learning' Tanya Shadrick In 2017, Sophie
Pierce's life changed forever when her twenty-year-old son Felix
died suddenly and unexpectedly. Thrown into an unimaginable new
reality, she had to find a way to survive. By writing letters to
Felix - composed during walks and swims taken close to his burial
place by the River Dart - Sophie gradually learned how to live in
the landscape of sudden loss, navigating the weather and tides of
grief. The Green Hill collects these letters alongside Sophie's
account of the years following Felix's death, into which she weaves
poignant memories of his life. What results is a deeply moving,
beautifully captured record of how - amid the rivers and rocks of
Dartmoor, and in the sea off the South Devon coast - Sophie was
able to hold on to and nurture her bond with Felix, both in her
mind and through a physical engagement with the landscape: actively
mourning, rather than grieving. This book is a celebration of the
natural world and the role it plays in our lives and relationships,
as well as an examination of how beauty, a sense of place and the
passing seasons can help us contend with our own mortality. Above
all, The Green Hill is one woman's story of navigating through
trauma and loss, and towards a fragile, complicated kind of joy.
A complete photoguide to all the wild flowers of Britain to
accompany the bestselling Complete British WIldlife. With over
1,000 main entries covering wildflowers, shrubs, aquatic plants,
grasses, sedges and rushes Collins Complete Guide to British Wild
Flowers is a definitive photographic reference guide for flower
enthusiasts. Helpful information about habitats of wild flowers and
useful tips to aid identification are included along with a
botanical hotspots section detailing 100 rarer species. Comparison
pages show different leaf shapes and flower clusters to enable
quick and easy navigation to the right section of the book to make
your identification. Detailed information on which places to visit
in Britain particularly rich in flower species are also included,
along with individual maps showing where each species can be found.
This is the essential photographic field guide of the best wild
flowers Britain has to offer.
Experience the joy of discovering the natural world around you with
this beautiful pocket guide to British wild flowers, an inspiration
and treat designed to enthral all nature lovers. Leading botanical
artists specially commissioned to ensure beautifully detailed
illustrations feature the most widely common British wild flowers.
Species are described and illustrated on the same page, with
up-to-date authoritative text aiding identification. They are
arranged by family, with their key features highlighted for quick
and easy reference. This is an indispensable guide for all those
with an interest in the countryside, whether amateur or expert, and
is beautifully packaged to lend itself both as gift or
self-purchase.
Gardening can be frustratingly shrouded in secrecy. Fickle plants
make seemingly spontaneous decisions to bloom or bust, seeds sprout
magically in the blink of an eye, and deep-rooted mysteries unfold
underground and out of sight. Understanding basic botany is like
unlocking a horticultural code; fortunately learning a little
science can reveal the secrets of the botanical universe and shed
some light on what's really going on in your garden.
"Practical Botany for Gardeners" provides an elegant and accessible
introduction to the world of botany. It presents the essentials
that every gardener needs to know, connecting explanations of
scientific facts with useful gardening tips. Flip to the roots
section and you'll not only learn how different types of roots
support a plant but also find that adding fungi to soil aids
growth. The pruning section both defines "lateral buds" and
explains how far back on a shoot to cut in order to propagate them.
The book breaks down key areas and terminology with
easy-to-navigate chapters arranged by theme, such as plant types,
plant parts, inner workings, and external factors. "Great
Botanists" and "Botany in Action" boxes delve deeper into the
fascinating byways of plant science. This multifaceted book also
includes two hundred botanical illustrations and basic diagrams
that hearken to the classic roots of botany.
Part handbook, part reference, "Practical Botany for Gardeners" is
a beautifully captivating read. It's a must for garden lovers and
backyard botanists who want to grow and nurture their own plant
knowledge.
'Kimmerer blends, with deep attentiveness and musicality, science
and personal insights to tell the overlooked story of the planet's
oldest plants' Guardian 'Bewitching ... a masterwork ... a
glittering read in its entirety' Maria Popova, Brainpickings Living
at the limits of our ordinary perception, mosses are a common but
largely unnoticed element of the natural world. Gathering Moss is a
beautifully written mix of science and personal reflection that
invites readers to explore and learn from the elegantly simple
lives of mosses. In these interwoven essays, Robin Wall Kimmerer
leads general readers and scientists alike to an understanding of
how mosses live and how their lives are intertwined with the lives
of countless other beings. Kimmerer explains the biology of mosses
clearly and artfully, while at the same time reflecting on what
these fascinating organisms have to teach us. Drawing on her
experiences as a scientist, a mother, and a Native American,
Kimmerer explains the stories of mosses in scientific terms as well
as within the framework of indigenous ways of knowing. In her book,
the natural history and cultural relationships of mosses become a
powerful metaphor for ways of living in the world.
The Botanical Bible tells the story of plants and flowers,
beginning with an overview of the plant kingdom and the basics of
botany, then offering strategies for gardening with purpose. Later
chapters introduce seasonal eating, the healing properties of
plants and the world of botanical art. This stunning gift book is
part history, part science, part beauty book, part cookbook and
part art book. It will appeal to anyone wanting to use plants and
flowers in modern life, whether they are an accomplished gardener
or are simply yearning for a more natural life. This comprehensive
guide to plants, flowers and botanicals covers a host of practical
uses, features vintage illustrations alongside the work of current
artists, and is sure to be an inspiration to anyone interested in
the natural world.
For a generation, the Basic Illustrated series has been as much a
part of the outdoors experience as backpacks and hiking boots.
Information-packed tools for the novice or handy references for the
veteran, these volumes distill years of knowledge into affordable
and portable books. Whether you're planning a trip or thumbing for
facts in the field, Basic Illustrated books tell you what you need
to know. Learn how to: *Forage for and identify wild mushrooms
*Treat a variety of ailments and illnesses, from colds to heart
disease and more *Distinguish between edible and nonedible parts of
mushrooms *Make delicious dinners, snacks, and other healthy
recipes
Die eerste volledige streekgids oor die inheemse bome wat in die Magaliesberg voorkom.
Beskrywing van meer as 170 spesies inheemse bome wat in die Magaliesberg voorkom georden volgens FSA-nommer
Familie- en genusbekrywings van die boomspesies
Oorsprong en verklaring van wetenskaplike name en die beskermingstatus van bome
Afrikaanse streekname wat 'n ryk taal- en kultuurerfenis verteenwoordig
Boomname in Afrikaans, Engels en / of in Setswana of isiZulu
Meer as 350 kleurfoto's
Interessante boomstories, ekologiese inligting en allerlei nuttige praktiese wenke oor die gebruik en aanwending van inheemse bome
Opgedateerde wetenskaplike en gewone name
The Complete Language of Flowers is a comprehensive encyclopedia
providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 1,001
flower species. Now in a pocket-size edition for easy, on-the-go
reference. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry
provides the flower's scientific and common names, characteristics,
and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends,
folklore, and flower poetry. For centuries, symbolic flower
meanings have fascinated readers, writers, poets, and suddenly
smitten couples alike. Extremely popular during the Victorian era,
these floriographies flourished and versed the public on the hidden
meaning of popular flowers such as: Purple Tulip-Eternal love
Amaryllis-Adventurousness; Enthusiasm; Passion Daisy-Beauty and
innocence; Cheer; Childlike playfulness Sunflower-Ambition;
Constancy; Devotion Together with stunning full-color illustrations
and two indexes, one for searching by common flower name and the
other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have
for gardeners, florists, and flower enthusiasts. Whether you're
looking to arrange the perfectly bespoken wedding bouquet or to
understand what the yellow rose you just received from an admirer
means (friendship), this updated floriography is a visual delight.
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, techniques for
harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and
symbols.
"A paradigm-smashing chronicle of joyous entanglement that will
make you acknowledge your own entanglement in the ancient and
ever-new web of being."--Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast
Are trees social beings? In this international bestseller, forester
and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes,
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. After learning about
the complex life of trees, a walk in the woods will never be the
same again. Includes a Note From a Forest Scientist, by Dr.Suzanne
Simard
This first volume of a two-volume definitive survey of aquatic and
wetland plants of the southeastern United States focuses on native
and naturalized monocotyledons in the following physiographic
provinces: Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains; southern Appalachian
highlands, flanked on the east by the Piedmont plateau and on the
west by the Appalachian plateau; the interior lowlands; and the
interior highlands.
Robert K. Godfrey and Jean W. Wooten provide well-written,
concise descriptions and keys for the identification of seven
hundred species. The text for each species includes both a
statement indicating the habitats in which the plant is usually
found and information about its geographical distribution.
Approximately four hundred drawings supplement the text and provide
additional information for proper identification. The authors use
nontechnical language whenever possible and include a glossary of
technical terms.
The first comprehensive survey of the aquatic and wetland
monocotyledons of the Southeast, this book will prove invaluable
for ecologists, botanists, and nonspecialists interested in the
plant life and ecology of the region.
With the surging interest in foraging for mushrooms, those new to
the art need a reliable guide to distinguishing the safe fungi from
the toxic. But for beginner foragers who just want to answer the
question "Can I eat it?", most of the books on the subject are dry,
dense, and written by mycologists for other mycologists. Frank
Hyman to the rescue! How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying is
the book for anyone who walks in the woods and would like to learn
how to identify just the 29 edible mushrooms they're likely to come
across. In it, Hyman offers his expert mushroom foraging advice,
distilling down the most important information for the reader in
colorful, folksy language that's easy to remember when in the
field. Want an easy way to determine if a mushroom is a delicious
morel or a toxic false morel? Slice it in half - "if it's hollow,
you can swallow," Hyman says. With Frank Hyman's expert advice and
easy-to-follow guidelines, readers will be confident in identifying
which mushrooms they can safely eat and which ones they should
definitely avoid.
The Chihuahuan desert is the second largest in North America and
its northern, or United States, portion occupies southeastern
Arizona, southern New Mexico, and Texas west of the Pecos River.
Hot, dry, and windy, the desert is home to a unique community of
plants that have adapted to its harsh environment. Visitors to the
area will find this volume a practical identification guide,
offering descriptions of seventy-five representative species of
northern Chihuahuan Desert plants. Each illustrated profile
includes the plant's common and Latin name and a brief description,
as well as its role in human history, its relationship to the
surrounding flora and fauna, medicinal uses, nutritional value,
habitat, toxicity, and other interesting facts.
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