Illustrations of Alien Plants of the British Isles


Book Description

With 444 full page line drawings of introduced, naturalised and casually occurring aliens in Britain, this handbook fulfills a long-felt need, amongst amateur and professional botanists alike, for a field and desk companion to aid in the identification of these plants. The excellent drawings are largely from a collection put together by the late David McClintock, originally with a view to publication in a new illustrated British flora. An invaluable resource, which will benefit botanists both at home and abroad.




New Flora of the British Isles


Book Description

Since its first publication in 1991, New Flora of the British Isles has become established as the standard work on the identification of the wild vascular plants of the British Isles. The Flora remains unique in many features, including its full coverage of all British wild plants, its user-friendly organisation, and its specially compiled keys and descriptions. This new edition includes the addition of more than 160 species, so that 4,800 taxa are now covered in varying degrees of detail. It also incorporates the new molecular system of classification based on DNA sequences. Furthermore, it includes 1600 species illustrations, rewritten distributions and an overhaul of the designation of degrees of rarity, with the introduction of a third, less rare, category. These revisions should ensure that this third edition remains the essential reference source for all taxonomists, ecologists, conservationists, plant hunters and biogeographers, whether they be researchers, teachers, students or amateurs.




Field Guide to Invasive Plants and Animals in Britain


Book Description

The impact of invasive organisms is second only to habitat loss as a threat to biodiversity and yet, despite increasing ecological awareness, people remain largely unaware of these plants and animals and their potentially devastating impact. Although most biological introductions fail, many prove successful and these can prove disastrous for native fauna and flora. This field guide will enable the identification of a range of invasive plants and animals now found in Britain. Though these species are of particular concern to conservationists there has previously been no unified guide devoted to their recognition. This book will act both as an ID guide, appealing to the amateur naturalist, and as an important tool for ecologists and land managers attempting to tackle the problem posed by invasive species.







Invasive Aliens: The Plants and Animals From Over There That Are Over Here


Book Description

‘The story of “invasive species” is really the story of human history, and Eatherley tells it with great verve ... Fascinating’ Daily Telegraph A unique history of plant and animal invaders of the British isles spanning thousands of years of arrivals and escapes, as well as defences mounted and a look to the future.




Botanical Illustration


Book Description

Botanical Illustration is an introduction to the marrying of art and science in the aesthetic and accurate portrayal of plant material. This book builds on the work of illustrators of the past, ranging from Elizabeth Blackwell, whose drawings helped to release her husband from debtors' prison, through to the exceptional scientific drawings of Beatrix Potter. It deals with the practical art and the related botany of the subject. Introduction to basic botany; preparation of plant material for drawing; use of pencil, watercolour, coloured pencil and pen and ink; suggested topics for further study; correcting mistakes and finishing touches. Invaluable for beginners and skilled artists alike, and an excellent reference book for teachers. Superbly illustrated with 216 colour illustrations.Valerie Oxley is a freelance tutor who has inspired students worldwide with her enthusiasm for natural history and plant illustration.







Grasses of the British Isles


Book Description

It is now over 50 years since the grasses of the British Isles were last treated to a book of their own, Hubbard's famous account of 1954, though two more editions were published in 1968 and 1984, with fairly limited changes. Enough has happened to the taxonomy of the family to justify a new BSBI Handbook. Hubbard's original account, still available after more than half a century, has been overtaken by events in an ever-developing taxonomic world and will not be revised again. This new Handbook therefore attempts to bridge the gap between the taxonomy of the 1980s and the new molecular phytogenies that are currently being explored, so that what is being offered is something that users will feel comfortable with (by departing no more than absolutely necessary from familiar taxonomy), but which hints at changes that may be afoot in the near future.




Alien Plants


Book Description

The word aliens' can be used in many ways, to invoke fear, dislike and fascination. For biologists it is used to indicate organisms that have been introduced by people to new territories. In the British Isles alien plants are common, conspicuous, pestiferous, beautiful, edible - and can be both useful and harmful.




Flora of Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 5, Butomaceae - Orchidaceae


Book Description

Planned in five volumes, this new, critical Flora provides a definitive account of the native species, naturalized species, frequent garden escapes and casuals found in the British Isles. Full keys and descriptions should enable the botanist, researcher or informed amateur to name all plants occurring in the wild, plus some ornamental trees and shrubs. Detailed accounts of all the large apomictic genera are given and many infraspecific variants. Each species entry begins with the accepted Latin name, synonyms and the common English name. A detailed description follows, with separate descriptions being given for infraspecific taxa. Includes information on status, ecology and distribution. Clear black and white line drawings illustrate an extensive glossary and also illuminate the diagnostic features of a number of groups of plants.