Seeing Seeds: A Journey into the World of Seedheads, Pods, and Fruit

by Teri Dunn Chace, Robert Llewellyn (photographer)

A centuries-old saying goes, “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” But as Seeing Seeds reveals, there is much more to a seed than the plant it will someday become: seeds, seedheads, pods, and fruits have their own astounding beauty that rivals, and sometimes even surpasses, the beauty of flowers. In these stunning pages you’ll gain an understanding of how seeds are formed and dispersed, why they look the way they do, and how they fit into the environment. Seeing Seeds will take you to strange and wonderful places. When you return, it’s safe to say that you’ll never look at a seed the same way again.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Gardening, Photography, Plants, Reference

284 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2015

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Llewellyn's fantastic photography introduces you to all sorts of seeds. Teri Chace provides some text along the way to explain the hows and wherefores and the whats to go with the photos. The book starts off with an introduction to all things seed (seriously, most in-depth book on seeds you'll probably ever find), and then goes into a survey of garden flower seeds, weeds and wildflowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables, shrubs and trees. The survey section features full-page photographs with 1-3 paragraphs on how the seed works, where the plant is commonly found, and various random other little tidbits.

I know I'm a nerd, and reading this entire book just proves that. Honestly, though, I find the little science facts fascinating (although sometimes I roll my eyes at Ms Chace when she anthropomorphizes plants and gives them the ability to make conscious choices in the way she words things) and the photographs are incredible. That's the real reason I plowed through this entire book. Llewellyn's photographs help you see aspects of plants you'd be hard pressed to notice in the wild or with the naked eye. So think of this as a picture book aimed at adult plant nerds, or those studying plants. If I were still teaching science I'd totally be using this book as a resource for plant sections of Biology or AP Biology. I liked that this sampled a broader range of plants found anywhere on Earth than the previous flower or tree books done by these two. Which makes since, it is easier to get seed samples from far away than fresh flowers or entire trees. Recommended for photography lovers, backyard gardeners (there are many hints at successfully getting various specimens to sprout from seed included), or science teachers.

[Marty Trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous book is not one to be dumped on the coffee table and never consulted again, despite its beautiful design and contents. Seeing Seeds is first a meditation on seeds and the strategies plants use to seduce us with them. Robert Llewellyn's stunning photography grants you a unique glance at seeds, pods, and fruit of all sorts, while Teri Chace's expert commentary leaves you marveling at the lengths plants go to "ferry and carry on their own kind into the future." The chapter called "Form: Why are seeds so diverse" is reason enough to purchase this book, and contains this gem from Rumi: "But there is an essence inside variability always quivering with the joy of returning to the origin." It's that kind of book. Seeing Seeds is a book I plan to return to seasonally for inspiration and to remind myself continually of the glorious complexity of plants and their unique and time-tested survival strategies.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you wonder about seeds?

A wide variety of seeds and their housing are described and explained in this comprehensive book. The illustrations are excellent.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally would have liked and referred to a glossary of all the seed and botanical terms used in the author’s text. A diagram or two would have been helpful as well to show seed parts. The seed photographs were very interesting. The author included a metric conversion chart which made me think huh? I found this unnecessary and would have preferred the glossary and diagrams. This book was another example, however, of how nature has learned to adapt and do for itself in amazing ways. The text was just the right amount for a novice like me.

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, it is Robert Llewellyn's photographs that elevate this book above a normal nature book. But this still isn't as good as Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees.

[John Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I thought I was getting. Picked this up at my local public thinking it was about seed saving. It is a coffee table book about seeds instead of flowers. Great photography, and some interesting facts about plants & seeds. Trees, fruit, weeds, veggies are all covered but not comprehensivly. Interesting.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the text is more technical than I require as a gardener, the photographs are positively stunning. This book is a visual knockout. One to own for sure and to show to friends.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow- beautiful!! The photos are excellent and the narrative tidbits are great too. I found this very inspiring as I thought about a unit on seeds for young children.

[Lynn Tait · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful informative book that I started in the winter, but put aside for nicer weather (along with the Discovering Trees and Flowers books) so I could read it in my back yard. The photos are amazing, and the information goes beyond basic facts, but not overly technical/ scientific and describes the large detailed photos. This book is large, so besides a pleasant reference tome it makes a great coffee table addition, and for those who use easels and such to display book contents - the photos are so skillfully and artistically rendered it will catch the eye of family and guests.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book about seed heads, pods, and fruit.

[Kathyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite pictures!