Wonders of the Plant Kingdom

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Author :
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
ISBN 13 : 022621608X
Total Pages : 157 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (262 download)

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Book Synopsis Wonders of the Plant Kingdom by : Wolfgang Stuppy

Download or read book Wonders of the Plant Kingdom written by Wolfgang Stuppy and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2015-02-23 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Compared to the obvious complexity of animals, plants at a glance seem relatively simple in form. But that simplicity is deceptive: the plants around us are the result of millennia of incredible evolutionary adaptations that have allowed them to survive, and thrive, under wildly changing conditions and in remarkably specific ecological niches. Much of this innovation, however, is invisible to the naked eye. With Wonders of the Plant Kingdom, the naked eye gets an unforgettable boost. A stunning collaboration between science and art, this gorgeous book presents hundreds of images of plants taken with a scanning electron microscope and hand-colored by artist Rob Kesseler to reveal the awe-inspiring adaptations all around us. The surface of a peach—with its hairs, or trichomes, and sunken stomata, or breathing pores—emerges from these pages in microscopic detail. The dust-like seeds of the smallest cactus species in the world, the Blossfeldia liliputana—which measures just twelve millimeters fully grown—explode here with form, color, and character, while the flower bud of a kaffir lime, cross-sectioned, reveals the complex of a flower bud with the all-important pistil in the center. Accompanying these extraordinary images are up-to-date explanations of the myriad ways that these plants have ensured their own survival—and, by proxy, our own. Gardeners and science buffs alike will marvel at this wholly new perspective on the world of plant diversity.

Wonders of the Plant Kingdom

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Author :
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
ISBN 13 : 022621592X
Total Pages : 157 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (262 download)

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Book Synopsis Wonders of the Plant Kingdom by : Wolfgang Stuppy

Download or read book Wonders of the Plant Kingdom written by Wolfgang Stuppy and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2015-02-23 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Compared to the obvious complexity of animals, plants at a glance seem relatively simple in form. But that simplicity is deceptive: the plants around us are the result of millennia of incredible evolutionary adaptations that have allowed them to survive, and thrive, under wildly changing conditions and in remarkably specific ecological niches. Much of this innovation, however, is invisible to the naked eye. With Wonders of the Plant Kingdom, the naked eye gets an unforgettable boost. A stunning collaboration between science and art, this gorgeous book presents hundreds of images of plants taken with a scanning electron microscope and hand-colored by artist Rob Kesseler to reveal the awe-inspiring adaptations all around us. The surface of a peach—with its hairs, or trichomes, and sunken stomata, or breathing pores—emerges from these pages in microscopic detail. The dust-like seeds of the smallest cactus species in the world, the Blossfeldia liliputana—which measures just twelve millimeters fully grown—explode here with form, color, and character, while the flower bud of a kaffir lime, cross-sectioned, reveals the complex of a flower bud with the all-important pistil in the center. Accompanying these extraordinary images are up-to-date explanations of the myriad ways that these plants have ensured their own survival—and, by proxy, our own. Gardeners and science buffs alike will marvel at this wholly new perspective on the world of plant diversity.

Our World in Pictures: Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds

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Author :
Publisher : Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN 13 : 0241425840
Total Pages : 192 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (414 download)

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Book Synopsis Our World in Pictures: Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds by : DK

Download or read book Our World in Pictures: Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds written by DK and published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd. This book was released on 2019-09-05 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the smallest seeds to the tallest trees, this beautiful children's guide is a must-have for any budding botanist or plant lover. We can't live without plants. We need them for food, shelter, even the air we breathe, yet we know surprisingly little about them. Why do thistles bristle with spines? How do some plants trap and eat insects? Did you know there are trees more than 5,000 years old? Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds explores the mysterious world of plants to find the answers to these and many more questions. This picture-packed encyclopedia shows a wonderful variety of plants, from fantastic ferns to spiky cacti. It explores the diverse habitats of plants, herbs and spices that make our food tasty, and even how astronuats grow plants in space. It also takes a fun, more sideways look at some truly weird and wonderful plants, including leaves that are home to frogs, orchids that look like parrots, and seeds that spin like helicopters. So open this fascinating ebook and find out more about the amazing world of trees, leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Seeds of Hope

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Author :
Publisher : Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1455554480
Total Pages : 458 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (555 download)

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Book Synopsis Seeds of Hope by : Jane Goodall

Download or read book Seeds of Hope written by Jane Goodall and published by Grand Central Publishing. This book was released on 2014-04-01 with total page 458 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From world-renowned scientist Jane Goodall, as seen in the new National Geographic documentary Jane, comes a fascinating examination of the critical role that trees and plants play in our world. From world-renowned scientist Jane Goodall, as seen in the new National Geographic documentary Jane, comes a fascinating examination of the critical role that trees and plants play in our world. Seeds of Hope takes us from Goodall's home in England to her home-away-from-home in Africa, deep inside the Gombe forest, where she and the chimpanzees are enchanted by the fig and plum trees they encounter. She introduces us to botanists around the world, as well as places where hope for plants can be found, such as The Millennium Seed Bank. She shows us the secret world of plants with all their mysteries and potential for healing our bodies as well as Planet Earth. Looking at the world as an adventurer, scientist, and devotee of sustainable foods and gardening--and setting forth simple goals we can all take to protect the plants around us--Goodall delivers an enlightening story of the wonders we can find in our own backyards.

The Triumph of Seeds

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Author :
Publisher : Basic Books
ISBN 13 : 0465048722
Total Pages : 321 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (65 download)

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Book Synopsis The Triumph of Seeds by : Thor Hanson

Download or read book The Triumph of Seeds written by Thor Hanson and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2015-03-24 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As seen on PBS's American Spring LIVE, the award-winning author of Buzz and Feathers presents a natural and human history of seeds, the marvels of the plant kingdom. "The genius of Hanson's fascinating, inspiring, and entertaining book stems from the fact that it is not about how all kinds of things grow from seeds; it is about the seeds themselves." -- Mark Kurlansky, New York Times Book Review We live in a world of seeds. From our morning toast to the cotton in our clothes, they are quite literally the stuff and staff of life: supporting diets, economies, and civilizations around the globe. Just as the search for nutmeg and pepper drove the Age of Discovery, coffee beans fueled the Enlightenment and cottonseed sparked the Industrial Revolution. Seeds are fundamental objects of beauty, evolutionary wonders, and simple fascinations. Yet, despite their importance, seeds are often seen as commonplace, their extraordinary natural and human histories overlooked. Thanks to this stunning new book, they can be overlooked no more. This is a book of knowledge, adventure, and wonder, spun by an award-winning writer with both the charm of a fireside story-teller and the hard-won expertise of a field biologist. A fascinating scientific adventure, it is essential reading for anyone who loves to see a plant grow.

Lessons from Plants

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Publisher : Harvard University Press
ISBN 13 : 0674259394
Total Pages : 241 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (742 download)

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Book Synopsis Lessons from Plants by : Beronda L. Montgomery

Download or read book Lessons from Plants written by Beronda L. Montgomery and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2021-04-06 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An exploration of how plant behavior and adaptation offer valuable insights for human thriving. We know that plants are important. They maintain the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They nourish other living organisms and supply psychological benefits to humans as well, improving our moods and beautifying the landscape around us. But plants don’t just passively provide. They also take action. Beronda L. Montgomery explores the vigorous, creative lives of organisms often treated as static and predictable. In fact, plants are masters of adaptation. They “know” what and who they are, and they use this knowledge to make a way in the world. Plants experience a kind of sensation that does not require eyes or ears. They distinguish kin, friend, and foe, and they are able to respond to ecological competition despite lacking the capacity of fight-or-flight. Plants are even capable of transformative behaviors that allow them to maximize their chances of survival in a dynamic and sometimes unfriendly environment. Lessons from Plants enters into the depth of botanic experience and shows how we might improve human society by better appreciating not just what plants give us but also how they achieve their own purposes. What would it mean to learn from these organisms, to become more aware of our environments and to adapt to our own worlds by calling on perception and awareness? Montgomery’s meditative study puts before us a question with the power to reframe the way we live: What would a plant do?

In Defense of Plants

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Author :
Publisher : Mango Media Inc.
ISBN 13 : 1642504548
Total Pages : 297 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (425 download)

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Book Synopsis In Defense of Plants by : Matt Candeias

Download or read book In Defense of Plants written by Matt Candeias and published by Mango Media Inc.. This book was released on 2021-03-16 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.

Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks

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Author :
Publisher : Dumbarton Oaks
ISBN 13 : 9780884021025
Total Pages : 190 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (21 download)

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Book Synopsis Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks by : Diane K. McGuire

Download or read book Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks written by Diane K. McGuire and published by Dumbarton Oaks. This book was released on 1980 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks was prepared as a resource for those charged with maintenance of the gardens following their acquisition by Harvard University in 1941. Beatrix Farrand here explains the reasoning behind her plan for each of the gardens and stipulates how each should be cared for in order that its basic character remain intact. Her resourceful suggestions for alternative plantings, her rigorous strictures concerning pruning and replacement, her exposition of the overall concept that underlies each detail, and the plant lists that accompany her discussion of each garden make this a volume of interest to every student, practitioner, and lover of landscape design.

Plants and Empire

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Author :
Publisher : Harvard University Press
ISBN 13 : 0674043278
Total Pages : 319 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (74 download)

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Book Synopsis Plants and Empire by : Londa Schiebinger

Download or read book Plants and Empire written by Londa Schiebinger and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2009-07-01 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Plants seldom figure in the grand narratives of war, peace, or even everyday life yet they are often at the center of high intrigue. In the eighteenth century, epic scientific voyages were sponsored by European imperial powers to explore the natural riches of the New World, and uncover the botanical secrets of its people. Bioprospectors brought back medicines, luxuries, and staples for their king and country. Risking their lives to discover exotic plants, these daredevil explorers joined with their sponsors to create a global culture of botany. But some secrets were unearthed only to be lost again. In this moving account of the abuses of indigenous Caribbean people and African slaves, Schiebinger describes how slave women brewed the "peacock flower" into an abortifacient, to ensure that they would bear no children into oppression. Yet, impeded by trade winds of prevailing opinion, knowledge of West Indian abortifacients never flowed into Europe. A rich history of discovery and loss, Plants and Empire explores the movement, triumph, and extinction of knowledge in the course of encounters between Europeans and the Caribbean populations.

Plant Form

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Publisher : Timber Press
ISBN 13 : 088192850X
Total Pages : 433 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (819 download)

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Book Synopsis Plant Form by : Adrian D. Bell

Download or read book Plant Form written by Adrian D. Bell and published by Timber Press. This book was released on 2008-09-03 with total page 433 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ideal reference for students of botany and horticulture, gardeners, and naturalists. The diverse external shapes and structures that make up flowering plants can be bewildering and even daunting, as can the terminology used to describe them. An understanding of plant form—plant morphology—is essential to appreciating the wonders of the plant world and to the study of botany and horticulture at every level. In this ingeniously designed volume, the complex subject becomes both accessible and manageable. The first part of the book describes and clearly illustrates the major plant structures that can be seen with the naked eye or a hand lens. The second part focuses on how plants grow: bud development, the growth of reproductive organs, leaf arrangement, branching patterns, and the accumulation and loss of structures. Aimed at students of botany and horticulture, enthusiastic gardeners, and amateur naturalists, it functions as an illustrated dictionary, a basic course in plant morphology, and an intriguing and enlightening book to dip into.

Plants That Kill

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Publisher : Princeton University Press
ISBN 13 : 0691178763
Total Pages : 224 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (911 download)

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Book Synopsis Plants That Kill by : Elizabeth A. Dauncey

Download or read book Plants That Kill written by Elizabeth A. Dauncey and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2018-03-06 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This richly illustrated book provides an in-depth natural history of the most poisonous plants on earth, covering everything from the lethal effects of hemlock and deadly nightshade to the uses of such plants in medicine, ritual, and chemical warfare"--Dust jacket.

Wonders of the Plant Kingdom

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781906506476
Total Pages : 156 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (64 download)

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Book Synopsis Wonders of the Plant Kingdom by : Wolfgang Stuppy

Download or read book Wonders of the Plant Kingdom written by Wolfgang Stuppy and published by . This book was released on 2014-09-25 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A ground-breaking collaboration between an artist and two botanists, this book tells the story of how flowers disseminate their pollen and how the pollinated flower turns into a fruit beginning a whole new chapter in a plant's life. It is the success or failure of a fruit to disperse its seeds that decides the survival or extinction of a species. This crucial role of fruits and seeds explains the fascinating spectrum of strategies and ruses that plants have evolved over millions of years to achieve their dispersal. Apart from the delicious and enticing domesticated fruits we so love, nature also holds a stock of a wide variety of wild fruits. But whether they rely on wind, water, humans, animals or their own explosive forces, the dispersal strategies of fruits are reflected in a wonderful cornucopia of different colours, shapes and sizes. This book combines extraordinary images with a clear, easily accessible, yet scientifically accurate text explaining the different forms of pollen, seeds and fruit, and their role in preserving the biodiversity of our planet.

Practical Botany for Gardeners

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Publisher : University of Chicago Press
ISBN 13 : 022609409X
Total Pages : 225 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (26 download)

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Book Synopsis Practical Botany for Gardeners by : Geoff Hodge

Download or read book Practical Botany for Gardeners written by Geoff Hodge and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2014-02-01 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

The Restless Plant

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Publisher : Harvard University Press
ISBN 13 : 0674059433
Total Pages : 225 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (74 download)

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Book Synopsis The Restless Plant by : Dov Koller

Download or read book The Restless Plant written by Dov Koller and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2011-01-15 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Plants, so predictable, stay where they are. And yet, like all living things, they also move: they grow, adapt, shed leaves and bark, spread roots and branches, snare pollinators, and reward cultivators. This book, the first to thoroughly explore the subject since Darwin’s 1881 treatise on movements in plants, is a comprehensive, up-to-date account of the mechanisms and the adaptive values that move plants. Drawing on examples across the spectrum of plant families—including mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants—the author opens a window on how plants move: within cells, as individual cells, and via organs. Opening with an explanation of how cellular motors work and how cells manage to move organs, Dov Koller considers the movement of roots, tubers, rhizomes, and other plant parts underground, as well as the more familiar stems, leaves, and flowers. Throughout, Koller presents information at the subcellular and cellular levels, including the roles of receptors, signaling pathways, hormones, and physiological responses in motor function. He also discusses the adaptive significance of movements. His book exposes the workings of a world little understood and often overlooked, the world of restless plants and the movements by which they accomplish the necessary functions of their lives.

The Science of Plants

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Author :
Publisher : Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN 13 : 0241605369
Total Pages : 362 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (416 download)

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Book Synopsis The Science of Plants by : DK

Download or read book The Science of Plants written by DK and published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd. This book was released on 2022-05-05 with total page 362 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover plants like you've never seen them before in this beautifully-designed introduction to the plant kingdom. Discover the extraordinary diversity of the plant world and how plants work with this photographic celebration of the plants, trees and flowers that share our planet and breathe life into our lungs. The Science of Plants invites you on a breathtaking journey to explore the plant kingdom from the ground up, from root to leaf tip! Published in association with Kew, and illustrated with inspiring photography, this beautiful compilation takes you on a visual journey of some of the world's most peculiar plants and fascinating flora in exquisite detail. Throughout the pages of this plant book, you can expect to find: -Inner workings of wide range of plants explained easily with graphic detail -Galleries showcase diversity in the plant world and visually define botanical terms -Feature spreads on key plants combine dramatic photography with rounded descriptions of our most significant,unusual, and sought-after species This beautiful book of plants showcases every part of each plant in detail, starting with a section on roots, stems and branches, leaves, flowers, followed by seeds. From tiny mosses and delicate ferns to vibrant blooms and stately palms, DK's elegant introduction to botany is packed with striking photos and crystal-clear artworks that explain the mechanics of photosynthesis, why leaves change colour, how cacti store water, and how seeds know when to grow. Filled with fascinating stories of how plants protect themselves from predators, and how flowers use colour and scent to interact with creatures around them, The Science of Plants is a fresh and engaging introduction to the mysterious inner workings of the plant world. A must-have volume for all plant lovers, including naturalists, budding botanists, ecologists as well as gardeners. Doubling up as the ideal gift for the plant-lover in your life, The Science of Plants is a nature book that is sure to delight. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery. So why not explore other terrific titles in our Science Of series? Reveal the secrets of the seas with The Science of The Ocean and explore the animal kingdom like never before with The Science of Animals.

The Book of Fungi

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Author :
Publisher : Ivy Press
ISBN 13 : 1782401369
Total Pages : 1987 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (824 download)

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Book Synopsis The Book of Fungi by : Peter Roberts

Download or read book The Book of Fungi written by Peter Roberts and published by Ivy Press. This book was released on 2014-06-30 with total page 1987 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fifth order of the natural kingdom is made up of an estimated 1.5 million species of fungi, found in every habitat type worldwide. The Book of Fungi takes 600 of the most remarkable fleshy fungi from around the world and reproduces each at its actual size, in full colour, and accompanied by a scientific explanation of its distribution, habitat, association, abundance, growth form, spore colour and edibility. Location maps give at-a-glance indications of each species known global distribution, and specially commissioned engravings show different fruitbody forms and provide the vital statistics of height and diameter. Theres a place, too, for readers to discover the more bizarre habits of fungi from the predator that hunts its prey with lassos to the one that entices sows by releasing the pheromones of a wild boar. Mushrooms, morels, puffballs, toadstools, truffles, chanterelles fungi from habitats spanning the poles and the tropics, from the highest mountains to our own gardens are all on display in this definitive work.

The Wonder Garden

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Author :
Publisher : Wide Eyed Editions
ISBN 13 : 1847807038
Total Pages : 50 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (478 download)

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Book Synopsis The Wonder Garden by : Jenny Broom

Download or read book The Wonder Garden written by Jenny Broom and published by Wide Eyed Editions. This book was released on 2015-09-03 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Open the gates of the Wonder Garden to explore five of Earth's most extraordinary habitats, each filled with incredible creatures and epic scenery. Trek through the Amazon Rainforest, travel to the Chihuahuan Desert, dive in the Great Barrier Reef, delve deep into the Black Forest and stand on the roof of the world - the Himalayan Mountains - to see nature at its wildest. Breathtaking, engraved illustrations bring to life Earth's spectacular Wonder Garden.