Book Description

Biochemistry Molecular Biology of Plants is a major contribution to the plant sciences literature, superbly edited by three distinguished scientists, Bob B. Buchanan, Wilhelm Gruissem, and Russell L. Jones, with contributions from more than 50 world-renowned scientists. With over 1,400 pages, 1,100 full-colour original drawings and 500 photographs this work qualifies, in the words of the Science reviewer, as:

"an essential reference for practicing plant biologists and for the increasing number of scientists from other disciplines who are entering the field of plant biology. To exploit fully the wealth of new information provided by the genome projects and to integrate the metabolic, regulatory, and signal transduction pathways of complex organisms, biologists will require a solid command of biochemistry and physiology. For this reason, the publication of Biochemistry Molecular Biology of Plants could not have come at a more opportune and auspicious time."

This book is meticulously organised and richly illustrated, useful both for teaching and for reference. The multi-authored work provides a contemporary view of its subject, including molecular biology, cell biology, and plant physiology, integrated around the themes of:

• compartmentation
• cell reproduction
• energetics
• metabolism
• development

"The great strength of this book is that it has integrated its three major components (molecular biology, cell biology, and plant biochemistry) in each of the 24 chapters, resulting in a comprehensive analysis of a multitude of specific topics."

Who should buy this spectacular new text?

Book Description

First published in 1925, Willis Linn Jepson's Manual of theFlowering Plants of California has been a standard reference for teachers,students, and naturalists. Since that time, hundreds of new species have beenidentified and botanical investigation has become more sophisticated. NowJepson's philosophy of making such information available to all is againrealized in this new volume, which includes a wealth of material accumulatedover the past decades. With contributions from two hundred botanists across North America, this is themost comprehensive resource and identification guide to nearly eight thousandvarieties of native and naturalized California plants. The means to identifyplants (using key traits and illustrations) is accompanied by specialinformation such as horticultural requirements, endangerment, toxicity, weedstatus, and notes on the management of sensitive species. Identification keyshave been designed for ease of use, and terms have been simplified andillustrated, making the new Manual the most authoritative field guide for theexpert and amateur alike. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Best Technical Review of California Plants
There is no easy way to identify a plant to species, but if it is in California it is far easier to use this volume than the others. Although it was written in 1925, the line drawings are for me priceless. Be advised that names change in 75 years even if plants do not, you will need a modern flora to reference the old name. HIGHLY recommended, but technical.

Good Reference and Learning Guide
This is an excellent guide. Very comprehensive, however you must have formal education in botany and plant ID in order to effectively use the guide to key plants to genus and or species. Not recommended for the average person. Just people who are plant nerds!

Not for the uninitiated
This book is an excellent botanical key listing a huge number of plants. It is not your average "audubon" guide, since it requires you to key out the plant in question using botanical systematics. Definitely a good reference book, but hard to use casually to find out what that tree is in your front yard!

Excellent, but not for beginners
This is an excellent book covering thousands of species of flowering plants of California. The book does contain a brief introduction to keying plants and a glossary of plant terms, but despite these features, I believe that the beginner would find this book difficult to use. It's size and complexity can be intimidating, and without color pictures (which aren't always accurate, but helpful for the beginner) it can be a frustrating experience for the novice.

from what i've seen of this book i would like to buy one.
I really haven't had a chance to read this book, but what I've seen so far it is very informative. I work for USDA FOREST SERVICE and this book is here at work. The problem is I would like to have one of my own, so I'm now in the process of looking for it at our book store in town. If they do not have it, possibly they could order it for me. If not I will travel to the next larger town to accomplish my mission. I will get this book one way or another. ... Read more

Book Description

The new edition is completely rewritten, beginning to end.The classic "Indoor Bible" puts all the latest information on indoor cultivation at your fingertips.Learn how growers maximize yields, harvesting more than a pound of connoisseur quality bud per 1000w bulb every two months.Includes precise color drawings and photos of numerous plant problems, a troubleshooting chart, four case studies, weekly checklist, calendar, glossary and index.

The book is packed with extensive information on hydroponics, including the Sea Of Green, lighting, soils & soilless mixes, CO2, insect, spider mite, fungus & disease control, fertilizers, nutrient disorders, seeds & seedlings, seed companies, plant care, mother plants, pruning & bending, determining sex, odor control, drying, harvest, medicinal use, safety and security.

200 color photos
200 b/w drawings, charts & graphs

Step-by-Step guide to:
Setting up grow rooms
Setting up light systems
Setting up light movers
Setting up ventilation systems
Planting ideal gardens
Growing perfect clones
Flawless transplanting
Bountiful harvests
Breeding & beyond

Indoor Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor Bible is the best-selling book on indoor marijuana cultivation in the world.This is why growers christened it "The Indoor Bible". All editions of the book have been bestsellers since it was first published in 1983.The book is packed with simple how-to examples and step-by-step instructions that both novice and advanced growers use successfully. If you want to read only one book on indoor growing, this is it! ... Read more

Reviews (33)

The science of indoor growing
With the way times change, this new edition of Indoor Horticulture is as indispensable now as its predecessor was in its moment. In the multidisciplinary field of indoor growing Mr Cervantes steers enerringly betwixt the science of closet cultivation and the art of growing kind herbs. Whether you're off-and-going or up-and-coming this book has everything you need to know and then some. If you have a problem that isn't mentioned here, maybe you're growing a different plant... that's where the high-quality color photos come in handy. As the cover suggests, an "illuminating" book that leaves no stone unturned, not even the sobering memory of thousands of drug war prisoners in jail for growing marijuana. Highly recommendable.

Indoor Marijuana Horticulture - The Indoor Bible
This is the only guide you will need, it covers everything you will need to know from A to Z. The book is packed with extensive information on hydroponics, including the Sea Of Green, lighting, soils & soilless mixes, CO2, insect, spider mite, fungus & disease control, fertilizers, nutrient disorders, seeds & seedlings, seed companies, plant care, mother plants, pruning & bending, determining sex, odor control, drying, harvest, medicinal use, safety and security. It also has 200 color photos, 200 b/w drawings, charts & graphs, ALL IN ONE BOOK! I guess that's why they call it "The Indoor Bible".

Great, but could have been better
Jorge covers everything you want to know about indoor marijuana growing, only there are frequent errors and contradicting statements. It also could have been better organized, but its vast supply of info makes up for these shortcummings.

Almost Perfect
One of the best ever grow guides. When you consider how much you'll spend on seeds and equipment to grow, you've go to see the value in buying a manual and this is a great investment. True there are a few mistakes and it's a little uneven, some subjects are covered in amazing detail and others in very little, but this is a must have for any potentail grower.

Jorge knows whats up!
People ask me all the time to recommend a grow book. Without fail, I always point to Mr. Cervantes work. He has been a respectable icon in the cannabis world for many years, and really knows his stuff.

Jason King,
Author: The Cannabible
www.thecannabible.com ... Read more

Book Description

Plant identification employs an extensive and complex terminology.Professional botanists often need several years in the field to master this terminology, and it presents a daunting obstacle to the student of botany.

The meaning of most botanical terms, however, is immediately apparent when an illustration is available.That is the purpose of this volume.Plant Identification Terminology provides over nineteen hundred clear illustrations of terms used in plant identification keys and descriptions.It also includes definitions for more than twenty-seven hundred taxonomic terms. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Extremely helpful companion to vascular plant key
Very good visual and textual descriptions of plant parts-essential to working through a plant key. I recommend it for my college plant id lab.

Valuable tool for a field ecologist
I am a plant community ecologist that prides myself in knowing many of the plants in the Intermountain West. However, myself and students are always finding new plants, especially as we move into new areas. My primary plant keys are the Intermountain Flora and Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Since I only key a couple months out of the year I forget many of the terms, needing a refresher as I start back out in the spring (my students call it winter death). My students and I find this book very useful and easy to use, particarly for beginning students. It is always with us in the field.

The best book available on the subject
The title says it all. This is an illustrated glossary to the terms you may encounter while identifying plants. It is beautifully illustrated and the definitions are clear and concise. The book takes much of the pain out of using an identification key and is tremendously useful for both professionals and students.

I disagree with a previous reviewer who characterized this book as "shallow" because it doesn't include detailed information about the terms included. That's kind of like labeling a dictionary as "shallow" because it doesn't provide encyclopedic entries. "Plant Identification Terminology" isn't intended to be a comprehensive guide to plant morphology.

This is a wonderful book at a surprisingly reasonable price and for its intended purpose it is the only game in town - nothing else even comes close.

The second edition
The second edition differs from the first mainly in a revision of the line-drawings which constitute the illustrations. In addition some entries were added and a much brighter cover was adopted.

This is a great book for quickly making sure of a not entirely familiar term. This of course is also the big limitation: there is very little background info, which makes it a pretty shallow work. The idea of shallowness is reinforced since it indeed is written purely from a phytographer's point of view: it is limited to morphology only. When I have a real question I turn to Bell's "Plant_Form" which contains much more information. As I said this is a great book for a quick check, but nothing beyond that.

Great for the advanced amateur
If you're an amateur trying to key out a strange plant -- and you've gone beyond the stage of using guides with sections on "plants with red flowers" to using more advanced guides, this book can help you cut through the forest of technical terms. It has the usual alphabetical listing of terms and definitions -- but what makes it work for me are the sections arranged by structure. For example, all the terms to describe leaves are collected in one well-illustrated section, as are terms describing flowers, roots, stems, surfaces, and other parts of the plant. The grouped illustrations make it really easy to figure out which term best describes your plant. The book would be best used in conjunction with a technical guide specific to the plants of your region. ... Read more

Book Description

Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers: The bee collects nectar and pollen to make honey and, in the process, spreads the flowers’ genes far and wide. In The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan ingeniously demonstrates how people and domesticated plants have formed a
similarly reciprocal relationship. He masterfully links four fundamental human desires—sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control—with the plants that satisfy them: the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato. In telling the stories of four familiar species, Pollan illustrates how the plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. And just as we’ve benefited from these plants, we have also done well by them. So who is really domesticating whom? ... Read more

Reviews (95)

A good read, and very informative
I read this book after hearing a talk by Pollan on New Dimensions radio (in their "Bioneers" series), and I found it (like his talk) perfectly delightful. I don't agree that his use of science is misleading: he's done his homework and researched his subjects pretty thoroughly, and if he takes sides on an issue (e.g., anti-pesticide and anti-genetic-engineering), it's a reasoned conclusion rather than an unthinking bias. The book is anecdotal and impressionistic, not a closely-reasoned scientific argument, but I felt that its rather loose structure worked well: it's a fun read, he kept me interested all the way through, and I learned a surprising amount about history, botany, and horticulture. I've read several accounts of the Potato Famine, but Pollan's "take" on it was intriguing: he sees it as the world's most ghastly example of the dangers of monoculture, and I agree that it's a lesson we all need to take to heart. (But it's also a case of How A Fungus Changed The World: if the potato blight hadn't dispersed the Irish all over the world, many countries -- in Latin America, as well as the obvious contenders, Australia and the U.S. -- would be very different today.) The book is easy to read and amusing, but he also makes some important points, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Conversational prose, brimming with allusions
I just finished this lovely little book,and would highly reccommend it. If nothing else, this book prepares one for many interesting conversations. I am now knowledgable about the true Johnny Appleseed, the tulip craze of Holland, the highly specialized marijuana culture, and new developments in the genetic engineering of potatoes. (To name a few!)
The fact that Pollan is not a scientist, but an avid gardener and researcher, among other things, should be considered an asset to the reader. He avoids esoteric scientific terminology, but the text remains sophisticated because his allusions prove huge amounts of research. Each part of the book, each "desire", has its own special charm. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. This book truly opens one's eyes to "a plant's-eye view of the world". Though by no means the be-all-end-all on this topic, it is a beautiful natural history.

How passionate are you about plants?
Pollan's book was pleasurable and engaging to read. It is a book that got me to think and expanded my perspective. It places our relationship with plants in specific contexts, with a unique hybrid of sociological and genetic prose. Recommended highly for those passionate about gardening, nature, or food.

Nature and Culture from a Gardener's Perspective
While you probably wouldn't want to use "The Botany of Desire" for scientific research purposes, this excellent nonfiction book effectively combines elements of science with those of history, cultural theory and mythology (from the early Greek to the Frontier American varieties). The tone is casual, not scholarly. Pollan is also a gardener, and his passion for growing things and his curiosity about life from the plant's-eye view shines through his text.
"The Botany of Desire" is a nonfiction book with an innovative structure: instead of telling a straight chronological story of the domestication of plants, Pollan instead selects four plants and tells each of their stories in turn, describing how their progress through the world has been shaped by human desires -- and the changes in those desires through history.
This book is also a travelogue of sorts: Pollan journeys through the Midwest in search of Johnny Appleseed's true life story, to Holland for the Cannabis Cup and the historical sites of "tulipomania," and to corporate factory forms to learn about genetic modification of the potato.
Most importantly, Pollan shows us around his own garden and introduces us to the plants that live there. Each of the four historical narratives begins and ends with the plant's history in his own backyard. As a host and a travel guide, Pollan takes on a fascinating journey through time, nature and culture.

I highly recommend this book to plant lovers and gardeners of all varieties, and to those who are interested in the shaping of nature by cultural forces (and vice versa). If this isn't you, it would still probably make a great gift for someone you know.

fascinating page turner
Wildly Enthusiastic Recommend: Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
This book is really different from your average reading fare. It's a delightful mix of facts both scientific and historical, fantastical meanderings, and just plain fun. The catching premise is that plants have co-opted man into promoting their prosperity. Pollan uses four plants to illustrate this premise: apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. Each chapter is a wonderfully readable story about the plant and its history intertwined with its relationship to man. The apple chapter has amazing information about Johnny Appleseed, and because as a child I wanted to be Johnny Appleseed, I found this fascinating. It reinforced my belief that I had good instincts as a kid. Then the tulip chapter gives you the details of tulip-mania in the Netherlands in the 1600s (think Internet bubble), making it seem amazing that this sort of thing keeps happening. The marijuana chapter is the funniest and most sinister in that it makes you want to get some good stuff, now. The potato chapter is the scariest - genetically modified foods. ... Read more

Book Description

• Revised with the most up to date solutions for plant problems encountered throughout North America• Colorful, detailed photo and brief analysis help gardeners diagnose each plant problem• Problem, analysis, and solution descriptions of every problem allow readers to quickly identify their plants particular problem and what methods and products are available to address them• Thumbnail maps show North America locations where problems are likely to occur• Detailed chemical and non-chemical solutions ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Comprehensive except for lack of Organic control methods
"The Ortho Problem Solver" is a wonderful reference book on pests, fungus', etc and controlling them with inorganic methods. Of course, Ortho is not known for organic pest control, but I still feel that maybe they should include this information considering that many that wish to control certain pests also live in wildlife areas--such as areas where there are birds, or are environmentalists or oriented towards this area when it comes to certain issues such as vegetables and fruit.

Environmentally correct methods do often work. Some will do nothing about pests no matter what because they fear any interruption in the wildlife.

I purchased the book because of the information it has in a variety of other areas--soil PH, lists of pests/fungus/other and photos of the damage they do, and overall general information. It is a very interesting and comprehensive reference book. It has a good layout with several sections.

This book is the "missing link" to solving garden problems.
Having just completed training in the Master Gardener program in our state, I found that I still needed a better visual reference to correctly identify garden problems. Recently, while shopping for a pesticide, I was able to pinpoint my exact problem because the store had prominently displayed a copy of "The Ortho Problem Solver" by Michael D. Smith! Its brilliant photographs and easy to understand narratives were surpassed only by its explicit and wonderfully cross-referenced index feature. I was unable to tear myself away - and kept calling my husband over to help me remember photos for later diagnosis at home.

As a serious photographer, I was able to appreciate the clarity and specificity of the photographs - and as a gardener, I was determined to own my own copy of this book immediately! (I will only be disappointed with this purchase if a newer version of the book is published before I receive my copy!)

Master Gardener Comments:
This book is the best source I have found to help diagnose plant problems. The fifth edition has better color pictures than previous editions, and it is wider to allow more space for the pictures and writing. Of course, since it is an Ortho book, the product recommendations are for Ortho products. However, this gives the reader a clear indication of the type of compound they should consider for control. Well worth the money for the avid gardener.

You pay for Ortho's ads
This book was a bit of a disappointment to me. The information is not as extensive as it first seems with it's 1000 plus pages. 143 pages are product labels which I see as a platform for advertisement of ortho products. Most solutions to plant problems refer the reader almost exclusively to one of it's own products. Another disappointment is the repetitive word for word descriptions of particular plant problems that many plants have in common. That may be unavoidable to some extent because there can only be a few ways to describe things that are similar but I was surprised at the exact duplicate wording throughout the book. I think it is a good reference in general but I feel that anyone who purchases such an expensive reference should know what they are paying for. Had I known ahead of time, I don't think I would have spent the money. Multiple resources such as Sunset's Western Garden Problem Solver, Rodale's Garden Insect, Disease & Weed Identification Guide, and other Complete Garden books can give you the same information with less biased solutions at a lower cost.

A wise investment for the Avid Gardener
Much more comprehensive than the book Ortho offers for the "home gardener", incorporating many more plants and their problems. I recommend this for the true avid gardener or one that has invested a lot of money into their landscaping. It includes most problems and solutions that you can encounter in your yard. Though this book is normally available for reference at many landscaping/garden stores that sell Ortho products, those visits to look at it can become very time consuming. A quick look-up in the book and treatment is complete (if I have the correct chemicals) before I'd even have a chance to get by a store. I have recouped the cost of the book just in the time I've saved. ... Read more

Book Description

Here, at last, is a lavishly illustrated manual for ready identification of 299 common and economically important weeds in the region south to Virginia, north to Maine and southern Canada, and west to Wisconsin. Based on vegetative rather than floral characteristics, this practical guide gives anyone who works with plants the ability to identify weeds before they flower.A dichotomous key to all the species described in the book is designed to narrow the choices to a few possible species. Identification can then be confirmed by reading the descriptions of the species and comparing a specimen with the drawings and photographs.A fold-out grass identification table provides diagnostic information for weedy grasses in an easy-to-use tabular key. Specimens with unusual vegetative characteristics, such as thorns, square stems, whorled leaves, or milky sap, can be rapidly identified using the shortcut identification table.The first comprehensive weed identification manual available for the Northeast, this book will facilitate appropriate weed management strategy in any horticultural or agronomic cropping system and will also serve home gardeners and landscape managers, as well as pest management specialists and allergists. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Weeds of the Northeast
I help identify weeds in Texas and this is one of my most used books to check an ID after Keying out a plant or for taking a quick look through a recognized family. Very few books concentrate on weeds so this type of book is much needed. Excellent photography and good information. This is so well done, I wish the authors would do it again with 175 different weeds. Thanks for a truely great book.

Weeds of the Northeast
Great book for the homeowners and horticulturalists. Great pictures and descriptions. The weed "Bible".

Certainly one of the best "weed" books ever!
This book is a treasure. I own and use many dozens of "weed" and plant books and this is one of the most comprehensive and useful. The written presentation for each plant includes information on its propagation, seedlings, roots, flowers and fruits and habitat, and more. The photographs are excellent and show the habit, seedling, leaves, flowers/fruits and seeds. Some grasses are also included.

I hope that the authors will eventually expand the geographical coverage and the number of species. I'll be first in line to buy a new edition!

Recommended!
Very fine, with great pictures and identification tables in the back that help you tell the difference between similar varieties of weeds. In fact, it's the best book I've found for identifying weeds. My only complaints are that it's a bit scientific and dry, and garlic mustard - a very destructive weed - is not included.

Awesome weed book!
This is one of the best weed books I have come across. It has very clear descriptive text and the photos are all clear and crisp. But what really thrilled me is that in addition to this the authors have included photos of seedlings and seeds of each species! Who hasn't been out in the field only to be stumped on a plant's identification because the plant is only in the seedling stage? Me, for one... lots of times. The book even has a section on common weed tree seedlings. Wow! I would recommend this book to any professional or amatuer botanist. I hope to see more from these authors. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Collecting contributions from 100 distinguishedhorticulturists, the handsome and lavishly illustrated AmericanHorticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is a trulydefinitive gardening reference. With its 1,092 tiny-print pages, thismay not be the book to tuck into your pocket as you weed and mulch, butwhat this encyclopedia lacks in portability, it certainly makes up forin scope. Hardy and tender plants, heirloom varieties and the latesthybrids--they're all accounted for here, with growing tips andbackground information about native habitats and ornamental features.You'll also find a fascinating section about botany, as well asinformation about basic gardening techniques such as mulching, staking,pruning, propagating, and protecting plants for winter. But theencyclopedia's main attraction is the individual plant entries--morethan 15,000 of them, embellished with 6,000 full-color photographs andillustrations. From the visual glossary of leaves to the map of growingregions, The American Horticultural Society A-Z of Garden Plantsprovides an unsurpassed wealth of botanical information, making it theyardstick by which all other gardening references must be measured. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

A Comprehensive Guide to Plants
This enormous reference book is exactly what an avid gardener needs - with entries covering perennials, annuals, woodland plants, trees, shrubs, and just about any other plants available both commercially and naturally. The individual entries contain information about cultivars, propagation, problem pests and diseases, as well as a concise description of the plant's appearance and growth requirements. Most, though not all, include a small photograph of at least one specimen. Plants are listed by their botanical names; if you do not know the genus, you'll have to look up the common name first in the index.

This volume also contains a visual glossary (inside the front cover), and excellent sections on general botany, the garden environment, and propagation techniques. The only drawback to this otherwise excellent encyclopedia is the near-impossibility of identifying unknown plants. The entries are not listed (or cross-listed) by type, requiring the gardener to page through nearly one thousand pages of pictures to identify, say, a particular woodland plant. And forget leaf identification since most photographs are taken from a distance to capture the whole of a species.

This would make an excellent gift for any gardener. It is hefty and comprehensive. Especially for those interested in non-mainstream plants, this book is a must-have.

The best compilation for plants out there yet!
This book is absolutely wonderful with all the quick information you would ever need for plants in North America. It does cover propogation, cultivation, and common pest for a particular plant very well, and the color pictures are superb. The common names for plants found in your stores are are easily found by doing a cross reference at the back of the book. It's not at all difficult to find what you are looking for. Ofcourse, you cannot expect to find every single hybrid names that are being churned out everyday covered in here 'cause thats not practical. I found that pretty much all the plants i reasearched for with names from hardware stores and nurseries were covered in here. You do need the sister book for identifying and controlling pests and diseases. Nevertheless, this is a superb book for a resource and the best out there yet. It's worth the weight! Get the sister book for pests and diseases and you'll be all set!

Useful, but...
The variety of plants contained in this volume is comparatively remarkable and I have successfully found information on quite a few things.

That said, the descriptions and other details on the varieties within the genera are uneven and illustrations used are often too small for identification, particularly if the foliage is not shown in the cases of flowers which appear nearly-identical.

Some varieties of plants such as calabrichoa (million bells) which are very popular, at least in my own area, are not there; some which are included, such as bacopa, only mention two colors when there are several in circulation.

These sticking points are relatively minor compared to my principal and ongoing complaint about nearly every plant book I have read or purchased: there is no pronunciation guide. This is a huge handicap when one is attempting to ask for, or for information about, plants such as Heuchera, Weigela, Clematis, Corydalis and a multitude of others with multiple possibilities.

It makes no sense that such an obviously huge undertaking as the compilation of this book could not include how the name should be said in the heading (not some section in the back which would require constant turning).

plant lovers might need an education
I ordered this book in hopes that it would give me information on plant heartiness, when and where to plant, diseases, pests and cures. It does that, and so much more. Too much more. It really is more for the horticultural enthusiast/expert, and less for the weekend gardener. The information is vast, the pictures are wonderful, but the "lingo" is a bit professional. I do feel rather cool having it in my collection though! PS, this book weighs a TON! Beware!

A BOOK FOR EVERY GARDNER
THIS BOOK SHOULD BE A MANDATORY, MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WHO PURCHASES A HOME, ALREADY HAS A HOME, OR IS THINKING OF DOING ANY GARDENING AT ALL......... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Is your garden troubled by cutworms or aphids? Need to know the best method for preventing the spread of viruses among your houseplants? Look no further than Pests and Diseases, the informative guide to the downside of gardening. Sooner or later, everyone's roses are troubled by black spot. Or maybe you haven't been having success treating known problems with chemical solutions. Pests and Diseases will answer all your questions, from prevention methods to lasting damage repair.

The close-up photos in the "identifying" area are certainly helpful, but are not for the squeamish. And it's not just the creepy crawlies that are a little discomforting--shots of full-blown bacterial infections on tree trunks aren't exactly a welcome sight, either. But to ensure healthy lives for their plants, responsible gardeners need to be as familiar with ladybug larvae as they are with lavender. It's better to recognize these problems in the early stages. Treatments discussed focus on organic and biological methods whenever possible. Beer-traps, barriers, and beneficial bugs are all explained in detail, along with reminders that regular weeding and cleanliness aren't just for looks, but for health as well. When chemical solutions are recommended, proper care is emphasized--not just for you, but for the other plants and animals in your garden.Proper techniques for preparation, treatment, storage, and disposal are gone over at length, as well as stern advice to only use these in moderation, and correctly--if they won't solve the problem thoroughly, then they're not worth the risks involved. Thorough and straightforwardly technical, even beginning gardeners will find it possible to tackle tough problems with this intelligent aid. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Invaluable resource
While this book is not the type most people curl up to read on a cold winter's night, I found it to be a very worthwhile resource for any garden. You can research any problem by either plant or by symptom. Each section is color coded along the page edge for easy use. The pages on Individual Plant Problems are separated into sections like "Garden Trees" or "Bulbs", and then alphabetically listed by common name and the name of the problem. The Gallery of Symptoms allows you to look at general problems with a particular part of the plant, such as leaves, stems, or fruits. Full color photographs accompany each symptom or pest, as well as a listing of types of plants affected and the season of affect. A short description follows with the page number for a full description and the recommended treatment.

GOOD & GROSS!
First off, if you can not stand the sight of a bug, this is not for you. I am a horticulture student who loves plants but hates pests! I got this book for a class and it is great! All gardeners shoud have this book close by at all times! It is an indespensible refrence for anyone who wants to have a happy healthy garden. I love the way the book is organized by a "Gallery of Symptoms" in the begining. This is a section of close up pictures of leafs, fruits, nuts, vegetables and flowers with all the pest (disese and bug)problems I ever (never) wanted to see. It is so disgusting that my friends will not go near the book! However, I am excited to try the various non-chemical controls the book readily provides. A holostic aproach seems to be the theme of the A-Z directory in the second half which gives me comfort in gardening... not just for me but the birds, bees and other GOOD critters in the garden. Happy hunting! (Slugs here in the N.W.) ... Read more

Book Description

Trees are vital to the healthy functioning of the global ecosystem and unparalleled in the range of materials they provide for human use. This volume is a comprehensive introduction to the natural history of trees, with information on all aspects of tree biology and ecology in easy-to-read and concise language.Peter Thomas uncovers fascinating insights into these ubiquitous plants, addressing in an illuminating way questions such as how trees are designed, how they grow and reproduce, and why they eventually die. Written for a nontechnical audience, the book is nonetheless rigorous in its treatment and a valuable source of reference for beginning students as well as interested lay readers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Learn 1,000 new things!!!
This is an amazing book!! Every page expands what you thought you knew. How do they get that water up 100+ feet? Why are trees deciduous? (Better questions are how many ways they are deciduous, and why, and what does deciduous really mean anyway?) This will make any hike you take more interesting, any tree rings you inspect simply fascinating.

Root and branch!
Trees: Their Natural History by Peter Thomas is a significant book for any student of trees or enthusiast for dendrology. The structure, function and life-cycle of trees is covered with warmth, perception and with authority. The writing is accessible although there are perhaps a few too many jokes. Despite this drawback the book is full of good reference material, thankfully lacking the homey philosophy and proselytizing of other writers in aboriculture. ... Read more

Book Description

Looking for a faster, easier, and fun way to identify plants?Botany in a Day teaches you the patterns method of plant identification, so that you can discover the wonderful world of plants around you, wherever you go.

Instead of trying to identify plants one-at-a-time, Botany in a Day give you a way to learn them by the hundreds, based on the principle that related plants have similar patterns for indentification, and they often have similar uses.

The one-day tutorial included in the text teaches you seven key patterns to recognize more than 45,000 species of plants worldwide.Master these seven patterns and you will be ready to use the included reference guide--Thomas J. Elpel's Herbal Field Guide to Plant Families of North America.Here you will find the patterns for indentification and the patterns of uses for the majority of plants across the continent.

Botany in a Day is used as a guide by thousands of individuals, plus herbal schools and universities across North America. ... Read more

Book Description

This complete introduction to the science of plant biology gives you and your students the best of both worlds: a text that thoroughly covers all the content of a typical first course in botany with just the right amount of detail to keep the text at a desirable and manageable length. The text focuses on clarity, efficiency of presentation, and pedagogy to facilitate student understanding. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This book is a great visual help to botany
I bought this book as a additional resource to a basic plant science course that I was taking.It has great pictures, and explanations on the basic proceses in plants. This is not a book that a begining self taught person could learn from easily.This is a textbook, not a home gardener's type book. The only drawback is the binding.All the books that I have seen have been falling apart.I would recommend the spiral bound edition or just live with the binding

This book is junk
I'm a UC Davis student who took the plant biology course that uses this book. The professor doesn't even follow the book because it's so bad. It's unorganized, confusing, and useless for my class. Even some of the illustrations in the book are wrong. Don't buy this book if you just plan to learn plant biology. If you have to buy this book because course requirement, good luck ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good but outdated
Though the Green Bible has been the best in the southeastern US for the past 30 years, and is still the best published manual for the Carolinas, it's in dire need of updating. Taxonomy for many of the species has changed, many more species have been discovered in the Carolinas since it was written (some native, some exotic), and the dot maps reflect what was know about species 30-40 years ago and don't necessarily reflect what is known about current ranges (also, the county dots aren't always backed up by occurrence records deposited in herbaria and thus are difficult to confirm)... overall, a wonderful publication, but one in need of a modern overhaul.

Best in the East
I have used this book for almost 30 years, and there is none better for the Southeast. Even if you use other guides, this one is the final authority! I cross reference everything through this book.

The best book for flora of the southeast in existence
I have gone through 4 of these in the past 26 years and I heartily recommend it for anyone with a more than passable amount of knowledge concerning plants.

One of the best floras of any region
Provides complete coverage of all vascular plants of North and South Carolina. Features excellent keys, drawings, and range maps.

Fantastic keys to vascular flora of the southeastern US
Fantastic..I heard this book was no longer available. I have used it for years--there is no substitute. Buy it while you can, as it is no longer published and this is the first time I have seen it for sale in over 10 years. ... Read more

Book Description

Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places shows readers how to find and prepare more than five hundred different plants for nutrition and better health, including such common plants as mullein (a tea made from the leaves and flowers suppresses a cough), stinging nettle (steam the leaves and you have a tasty dish rich in iron), cattail (cooked stalks taste similar to corn and are rich in protein), and wild apricots (an infusion made with the leaves is good for stomach aches and disgestive disorders).

More than 260 detailed line drawings help readers identify a wide range of plants -- many of which are suited for cooking by following the more than thirty recipes included in this book. There are literally hundreds of plants readily available underfoot waiting to be harvested and used either as food or as a potential therapeutic. This book is both a field guide to nature's bounty and a source of intriguing information about the plants that surround us.

Reviews (15)

This one's the best of the 20 I've read so far on this topic
This book mentions about 100 of the most likely medicinal and/or edible plants that you will encounter, whether in the woods, at a park, or along the sidewalk. The drawings are superb, and the information on the chemical and nutritional components of why the plant works as food or medicine is clear and thorough. The recipes are easy to follow ( I hate to cook). Best of all, the author has a great sense of humor making this one of the most readable books of its kind. I can't reccommend this one highly enough: it's become something of a "bible" for me.

Get this book now!
This is a fantastic book. Very thorough information about finding, identifying, harvesting, preparing, and uses of edible wild plants. The plant drawings are fantastic and much easier to use than color photos. I enjoy his emphasis on finding edibles in your lawn or other "not so wild" places. Also includes lots of invaluable information on poisonous plants to avoid and poisonous "look-alikes" to beware of. He has a great sense of humor and an entertaining style. I bought the book and then had to immediately by another as a gift. I just got lunch by weeding my driveway...

Slightly Disappointed
On the whole, this book is interesting and informative, but I was slightly disappointed with the logical layout. The information in the book is fairly detailed and interesting, but is presented in a narrative manner. The book takes a season/habitat based approach... I guess I was expecting a more trait-based heirarchical listing system. Something that would facilitate taking an unknown plant and quickly looking up the answers to "what is it? is it edible? is it medicinal? if so, what are the details"

The approach also tends to give details on a few interesting / especially good flavored or nutricious plants and then gives a names-only grocery list of "Edible and medicinal plants" and then one of "For Observation only"

So, in summary, if you know a bit about general plant identification and your focus is on what's available for the season and habitat, this book is a valuable resource, but if you're looking for a field identification and classification tool, this is probably not the best choice.

great book!
OUT OF THE 4 BOOKS THAT I OWN ON THE SUBJECT. THIS IS THE BEST GUIDE ON EDIBLE WILD PLANTS THAT I HAVE READ.DON'T LET THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NO PHOTOS IN THE BOOK BE A CONCERN. THE DRAWINGS ARE EXCELLENT! EVERYTHING IS IN DETAIL WITH SIDE NOTES POINTING TO SPECIFIC PARTS, POISONIOUS LOOK A LIKES ARE MENTIONED AS WELL AS DETAILED DRAWINGS OF THEM. AT THE END, THERE ARE MANY GREAT RECIPES! BY THE WAY, CHECK OUT ONE OF THE HIKES IF YOUR IN THE TRI-STATE AREA (CONN NY NJ) WILDMAN HIMSELF GIVES A WALK AND A LECTURE FROM MAR-DEC. CHECK OUT HIS WEBSITE http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/
HAPPY FORAGING!

Excellent -- but could we have color illustrations?
This book was recommended to me by a friend when I mentioned an interest in wildcrafting -- the only problem is, my friend is much more nature-literate than I -- and while the information in this book far surpasses any other I've seen, the illustrations are (beautiful) pencil drawings devoid of color.

Otherwise an excellent resource. ... Read more

Book Description

This book focuses readers on the function of plants and the role they play in our world. The authors emphasize the scientific method to help readers develop the critical thinking skills they need to make sound decisions throughout life. This focus on how plants work and the development of critical thinking skills together support the ultimate goal of developing scientific literacy.This book is organized around the themes of DNA science, global ecology, and evolution.The key concepts discussed in the book are molecules, cells and microbes; plant structure and reproduction; and, plant diversity and the environment.For anyone interested in botany (plant biology). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great reference book with lots of nice photos
I've known many biology textbooks, but this has the nicest and best photos you could ever find. Though this book mainly aims for non-majors, I, a botany graduate student, still find it very useful and informative. Highly recommend this for people who want to know about general plant biology, but have been intimidated by heavy, thick textbooks. ... Read more

Book Description

Dogwood trees and shrubs are unquestionably among the superstars of the ornamental garden. Although cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and common dogwood (C. sanguinea) have been grown in Europe since ancient times, it is only since the age of exploration in the 18th and 19th centuries that dogwoods from the New World and Asia have ascended to the high thrones of gardens, where their aristocracy remains unchallenged today. Given the huge popularity of dogwoods as garden plants, not to mention the hundreds of choice selections and hybrids that have come to prominence in recent decades, it is surprising that there has never been a horticultural book on the genus. Paul Cappiello fills this longstanding gap with this definitive treatment for gardeners and enthusiasts. Providing a solid overview of all dogwoods of horticultural merit, the author provides more than two hundred stunning photos to help with the daunting tasks of identification and plant selection. He provides helpful details on cultivation, combating pests and diseases, and the fundamentals of breeding and selection. Based on years of research, first-hand observation, and interviews with dozens of specialists and nurserypeople, Dogwoods is an unprecedented guide to the diversity of plants available in nurseries today. Written in engaging and informative prose, this book will be treasured by generations of gardeners. ... Read more

Book Description

Commonly referred to as "Beard's Bible," after Dr. James B. Beard, the internationally recognized turfgrass agronomist who wrote it, the first edition of this essential work sold over 50,000. Since then, Dr. Beard has spent 16 years compiling his scientific research to update his original best-seller, which is written in conjunction with the entire USGA Green Section and covers every practical and technical aspect of turfgrass management, maintenance, and operation. This new edition also boasts hundreds of new color photographs, color drawings, and useful tables that illustrate Dr. Beard's research-proven techniques. Now you can put Dr. Beard's three-decades of experience, and the collective field experience of the USGA Green Section, on your desk in the most complete, most detailed, and most useful manual-of-practice ever published. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is simply a good book
I use this book at school for a class called "golf course organization and maintenace." It is geared directly to golf courses. The fact of the matter is that it covers every imaginable aspect of golf course maintenance and operations, and I do mean everything. In my opinion there is no other book more valuable for persons training to be golf course superintendents. If your already a superintendent I'm sure it would still be a wise decision to purchase this book.

better turf management !!
this book will heip even the greats turf managers around the world, ... Read more

Book Description

Weeds can cause many problems in turf situations. One of most undesirable characteristics of weed infestation is the disruption of turf uniformityso vital to the golf, sports field, and managed landscape industry. Weed clumps, color variation, and patches can drive turf managers crazy, and have a pronounced effect on the perceived quality of the maintenance program. Very often, weeds are the results of weakened turf and specific spoil problemsthe Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds explains why, and helps you problem-solve for effective management.

Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds by L.B. McCarty, J.W. Everest, D.W. Hall, T.R. Murphy, and F. Yelverton is a volume in the series:Turfgrass Science and Practice, James B Beard, Editor ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must get book if you want to know about weeds
This is an excellent book that really describes what the weeds are and what to do about them. Great clear REAL pictures of the weeds so there is'nt confusion with a drawing and what you are looking at in your turfgrass. I highly recomend this book to people in the lawn care and landscaping business. Or if your somebody that really likes to take care of your yard and want's a detailed book on what you see as the "bad" stuff in your grass and beds. I am a lawn care guy myself and love it. ... Read more

Book Description

This introductory text assumes little prior scientific knowledge on the part of the student. It includes sufficient information for some shorter introductory botany courses open to both majors and nonmajors, and is arranged so that certain sections can be omitted without disrupting the overall continuity of the course. Stern emphasizes current interests ethnobotanical while presenting basic botanical principles. ... Read more

Book Description

With this Third Edition, the authors and contributors set a new standard for textbooks in the field by tailoring the study of plant physiology to virtually every student—providing the basics for introductory courses without sacrificing the more challenging material sought by upper-division and graduate-level students.

Key pedagogical changes to the text will result in a shorter book. Material typically considered prerequisite for plant physiology courses, as well as advanced material from the Second Edition, will be removed and posted at an affiliated Web site, while many new or revised figures and photographs (now in full color), study questions, and a glossary of key terms will be added. Despite the streamlining of the text, the new edition incorporates all the important new developments in plant physiology, especially in cell, molecular, and developmental biology.

The Third Edition's interactive Web component is keyed to textbook chapters and referenced from the book. It includes WebTopics (elaborating on selected topics discussed in the text), WebEssays (discussions of cutting-edge research topics, written by those who did the work), additional study questions (by chapter), additional references, and suggestions for further reading. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

an excellent review on plant physiology for students
I teach plant physiology at the University of paris. I have bought the first edition of this boor five years ago and I have bought the new one about one month ago. It was a concise, clear and well up to date documented review. I appreciate particularly all the section on bioenergetic and transport in solutes in relation with morphology and development of the plant. I appreciate also very much the part on the influence of the light either for the classical phytochrome or to the appartition of the effect on the blue light. Scheme are simple, but precise and well descibed. This book was a very good intermediate between books of pure biochemistry or pure morphology.All information is integrated and well discussed. In the domain of the plant physiology I think really on my knowledge that this book was actually, in the domain of the plant physiology, one of the best review, and perhaps the better.

It is a useful tool for understanding plant physiology.
I teach plant physiology for biological sciences students in Bogotá, Colombia. I think this book is excelent. Also, it is written in a comprehensive English, and explains clearly the principles of plant physiology for everyboby including Spanish speakers. It is a very good way to motivate undergraduate students with the knowledge in plant physiology. I would liKe to congratulate the authors.

New Edition
The Second Edition of Plant Physiology builds on the strengths of the First Edition by integrating modern, state-of-the-art approaches to the study of plant function, particularly in the areas of gene regulation and molecular genetics, cell biology and signal transduction, and bioenergetics, into the framework of traditional plant physiology. The Second Edition also reflects the growing importance and prominence of biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology in the field of plant physiology. Each chapter has been thoroughly revised to reflect new developments in the field. In addition, several new chapters have been added, including chapters on "Cell Walls," "Growth, Development and Differentiation," and "Blue Light Responses." A new chapter entitled "Gene Expression and Signal Transduction" provides a summary of current models for the control of gene expression and cell signaling pathways in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, parti! cularly those topics relevant to plants. As in the First Edition, expert contributing authors provide authoritative accounts that include important recent advances in their fields. These contributions are integrated into the unified style that made the First Edition a benchmark in the teaching of Plant Physiology. The Second Edition is extensively illustrated and will be published in two colors.

Excelent. Very clearly written. Good figures.
Nothing else to say. Is there a new edition? ... Read more