Narcissus and Daffodil is the first book to provide a complete overview of the genus Narcissus. Prized for centuries in western Europe as an ornamental plant, it has recently attracted attention as a source of potentially valuable pharmaceuticals. In eastern European countries, however, Narcissus and other Amaryllidaceae have been valued as a sourc

Narcissus and Daffodil is the first book to provide a complete overview of the genus Narcissus. Prized for centuries in western Europe as an ornamental plant, it has recently attracted attention as a source of potentially valuable pharmaceuticals. In eastern European countries, however, Narcissus and other Amaryllidaceae have been valued as a sourc

As with nearly all living creatures, humans have always been attracted and intrigued by floral scents. Yet, while we have been manufacturing perfumes for at least 5000 years to serve a myriad of religious, sexual, and medicinal purposes, until very recently, the limitation of our olfactory faculty has greatly hindered our capacity to clearly and ob

Survey of Biological Progress, Volume III explores the principles common to all biological areas that undergo major developments and modifications, including the embryo, botany, chromosome, insect behavior, hormones, and respiration. This volume is composed of six chapters, and begins with a presentation of the embryological concepts and the cellular components of the embryo. The next chapter deals with the trends in systematic botany of the vascular plants. Some of these trends apply equally well to nonvascular plants, as demonstrated by an upsurge of cytotaxonomic studies in the bryophytes, and the use of new techniques of importance to the systematist in such groups as the bacteria. These topics are followed by discussion on the cytologically detectable difference between the chromosome sets of related species, whether involving a difference in chromosome number or merely a change in the relative sequence of parts within a chromosome, as a cytotaxonomic difference. The remaining chapters describe the host-parasite interactions, the behavior of chemical trail-following and orientation to airborne odors of insects, the mechanism of action of hormones on cells, and the regulation of respiration rate. This book will be of value to undergraduate biology students.

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.

A century of research on heterostylous plants has passed since the publication of Charles Darwin's book "The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species" in 1877 summarizing his extensive observations and experiments on these complex breeding systems involving genetic polymorphisms of floral sex organs. Since then heterostylous plants have provided a rich source of material for evolutionary biologists and today they represent one of the classic research paradigms for approaches to the study of evolution and adaptation. The present book is the first modern and comprehensive accont of the subject. In 10 chapters it is concerned with the evolution, genetics, development, morphology, and adaptive significance of heterostyly. Broad syntheses of research on heterostyly as well as new theoretical ideas and experimental data are included.

Tracing the evolution of one of the most ancient major branches of flowering plants, this is a wide-ranging survey of state-of-the-art research on the early clades of the monocot phylogenetic tree. It explores a series of broad but linked themes, providing for the first time a detailed and coherent view of the taxa of the early monocot lineages, how they diversified and their importance in monocots as a whole. Featuring contributions from leaders in the field, the chapters trace the evolution of the monocots from largely aquatic ancestors. Topics covered include the rapidly advancing field of monocot fossils, aquatic adaptations in pollen and anther structure and pollination strategies and floral developmental morphology. The book also presents a new plastid sequence analysis of early monocots and a review of monocot phylogeny as a whole, placing in an evolutionary context a plant group of major ecological, economic and horticultural importance.