Tag: plants-and-people
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A timely appreciation of plants
Christopher Woods’ book, “In Botanical Time,” explores the astonishing lifespans of the world’s oldest plants, illustrating their biology and ecology across 230 pages. Although well-written and richly illustrated, the book lacks source citations, which detracts from its scientific credibility. Nonetheless, it captivates readers with tales of remarkable plant longevity.
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The essentials of plant biology
Essential Plant Biology by Alison Smith et al. offers a comprehensive overview of modern plant biology, emphasizing molecular genetics and biochemistry, crucial for understanding plant function today. Divided into six parts, the book covers topics from plant evolution to environmental interactions, targeting undergraduates with a foundation in molecular biology.
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The wooden universal Australian
Eucalyptus by Stephen D Hopper uniquely integrates Aboriginal and Western scientific perspectives on eucalypts, offering insights into their cultural significance and ecological roles. The book includes first-hand accounts of Aboriginal practices and contrasts them with European views, emphasizing eucalypts’ importance and advocating for their conservation amid modern threats.
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What are gardens for..?
The green fuse by Peter Dale explores gardens through a philosophical and cultural lens, emphasizing their connections with literature, music, and art. Challenging yet rewarding, the book enriches readers’ understanding of gardens beyond utilitarian functions, presenting deep insights and beautiful prose. It’s a significant contribution to the plants-and-people discourse.
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The domestication of people by plants…
Robert N. Spengler III’s “Nature’s greatest success” challenges the traditional view of agriculture’s origins, arguing that domestication was not a conscious act by humans but rather an inevitable outcome of plants’ evolution. He emphasises the partnership between plants and people, prompting critical thinking about our agricultural history and the role…
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Celebrating dendrochronology and dendrochronologists
In the Circle of Ancient Trees, edited by Valerie Trouet, explores dendrochronology and its significance through ten extraordinary tree species. The book combines scientific insight with human interest stories from dendrochronologists, highlighting the intertwined relationship between trees and society. Engaging essays are complemented by illustrations, though source citation remains a…
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Pulling the stuffing out of plants…
Jonathan Drori’s book, the stuff that stuff is made of, explores the crucial role of plants in human life. Featuring 30 plants, it blends factual information with engaging illustrations, anecdotes, and humour to bridge plant-awareness gaps. Intended for readers aged 7 to 100, it aims to inspire curiosity and appreciation…
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Wildflowers unveiled: Science and secrets behind nature’s beauty
Chris Thorogood’s “Wildflowers” explores the diverse world of wildflower biology, covering topics such as ecology, evolution, and conservation. Suitable for an intelligent, teenager-plus aged audience, the book offers concise chapters with abundant illustrations. While informative, it provides limited sourced facts. Overall, it celebrates the planet’s rich diversity of wild plants.
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Moss and lichen: A deep dive into cryptogams
Elizabeth Lawson’s “Moss and Lichen” is a groundbreaking addition to Reaktion Books’ Botanical series, shifting focus from vascular to non-vascular plants and encompassing fungi. Integrating biology, ecology, and cultural relevance, the book explores the nature of mosses and lichens, their roles in ecosystems, and their significance to humanity.
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Whisky galore: The tale of shipwrecked spirits
Whisky Galore! is a 1949 British comedy about whisky-deprived Scottish islanders who seize a stranded ship’s cargo. A recent project aims to create whiskey from shipwrecked American rye grains, which tale is told here, This post is also an opportunity – albeit a little early – to raise a toast…
Plant Cuttings 