Pinguicula of Latin America


Book Description

"Pinguicula of Latin America is the second volume of a series of two books that document all carnivorous butterworts (Pinguicula) of the world, for the very first time and in unparalleled detail. These spectacular carnivorous plants produce leaves lined with tiny tentacles tipped with droplets of glistening, sticky mucus. Small insects become affixed to the sticky, fly-paper leaves of Pinguicula, die and are digested offering the plant nutrients to grow. In this volume, all Pinguicula taxa from Latin American countries (including the Caribbean) are documented in lavish detail. The morphology, diversity, taxonomy and botanical history of all recognised taxa is described in depth in clear English prose. All descriptions are accompanied with numerous spectacular images covering many Pinguiculataxa that have never been photographed before"--Publisher's description.




Pinguicula of the Temperate North


Book Description

"Pinguicula of the Temperate North is the first volume of a series of two books that document all carnivorous butterworts (Pinguicula) of the world, for the very first time and in unparalleled detail. These spectacular carnivorous plants produce leaves lined with tiny tentacles tipped with droplets of glistening, sticky mucus. Small insects become affixed to the sticky, fly-paper leaves of Pinguicula, die and are digested offering the plant nutrients to grow. In this volume, all Pinguicula taxa from the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and northern Africa are documented in lavish detail. The morphology, diversity, taxonomy and botanical history of all recognised taxa is described in depth in clear English prose. All descriptions are accompanied with numerous spectacular images covering many Pinguicula taxa that have never been photographed before"--Publisher's description.




Rafflesia of the World


Book Description

Very beautiful book on what is simply the largest flower in the World. The book covers in detail the biology, occurrence and conservation status of the 18 currently recognised species, support by much original data from the author's own first-hand experience. Lavishly illustrated with 152 color photographs, 73 line illustrations, figures and distribution maps. A very appealing and valuable book for botanist, conservationist and anyone interested in these wonders of nature.




Columnar Cacti and Their Mutualists


Book Description

A collection of writings on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of columnar cacti and their vertebrate mutualists, demonstrating that the survival of these cacti depends on animals who pollinate them and disperse their seeds.




Australian Carnivorous Plants


Book Description

"Australian Carnivorous Plants" is a beautifully produced coffeetable book with extensive colour photographs of all carnivorousplant genera found in Australia (Aldrovanda, Byblis, Cephalotus,Drosera, Nepenthes, and Utricularia). Incorporating 180 images ofover 150 species taken over the past two decades by acclaimedwildlife photographers and carnivorous plant experts, Greg Bourkeand Richard Nunn, this visually striking book is the first workdedicated to highlighting the beauty of Australian carnivorousplants in the wild through high-quality photographs.The selection of breathtaking images featured in this lavishlyillustrated work was carefully chosen to highlight theextraordinary diversity of carnivorous plants found in Australia,an assemblage that is greater than on all other continents onEarth. The spectacular images and detailed captions, written inaccessible English, offer a uniquely informative portrait of someof the Southern Hemisphere's most extraordinary and beautifulplants. It is a work that will fascinate amateur natureenthusiasts and specialist botanists alike.This beautiful book includes a foreword by Allen Lowrie, a worldauthority on carnivorous plants; a short introductory chapter tothe carnivorous plants of the world with a summary and completelisting of all carnivorous plant species found in Australia;chapters dedicated to each genus of Australian carnivorous plantwith introductory descriptions; a chapter on conservation; andinformation relating to the photographic techniques used by theauthors. Many of the taxa covered here have never been depicted inprint before.Particular highlights include:1. The first complete listing of all currently known carnivorousplants of Australia.2. Many rare, little known and seldom photographed taxa, includingByblis aquatica, B. rorida, Drosera browniana, D. bulbosa subsp.major, D. gibsonii, D. nivea, D. oreopodion, D. radicans, D.zigzagia, Utricularia circumvoluta, U. leptoryncha, U. paulineae,U. singeriana, and many more.




In Defense of Plants


Book Description

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.







Huanduj


Book Description

The book is a horticultural, botanical and ethnobotanical monograph of Brugmansia (Solanaceae), the most potent of South American entheogens (psychoactive plants used for religious/spiritual purposes in shamanic cultures). Brugmansia is the only widespread continental plant genus of several species known solely in cultivation, and with now nearly 2000 cultivars, this book provides a world cultivar register with reference to the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. This is the first full taxonomic revision of the genus Brugmansia ever published, and combines original field research and horticultural expertise with a review of well over 600 bibliographic references, covering a range of fields from anthropology and ethnobotany, through to biology, pathology, biotechnology and horticulture.




Aldrovanda


Book Description

The first comprehensive monograph of Aldrovanda, the rare andextraordinary carnivorous "Waterwheel Plant". This incrediblecarnivore, known for trapping aquatic prey between jaw-like lobesthat dramatically snap shut when triggered, is related to thefamous Venus Flytrap and employs one of the fastest movementresponses known in the plant kingdom. Not only arthropods arecaught in its deadly jaws, but even small vertebrates includingtadpoles and fish fry.Representing over four years of study and research, thislong-awaited work presents a pioneering and uniquely detailedtreatment of all aspects of the botanical history, ecology,evolutionary history, distribution and cultivation of this novelplant. The text also addresses the pressing need for integratedconservation and management initiatives.Among the many highlights of this work are:- Spectacular imagery of Aldrovanda, including scanning electronmicroscopy, histological sections, and many previously unpublishedphotos of the plant throughout its worldwide habitat- The formal description of a new infraspecific taxon ofAldrovanda.- The most definitive guide to cultivating this unique speciesever published- The inclusion of new and previously unpublished data relatingto key aspects of the plant's reproduction, dispersal and ecology