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Leaves
Describes basic leaf structure and functions, discusses plant ecology, and tells how to collect leaves
244 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
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December 18, 2013
Excellent photos by Kjell B. Sandved (mostly in color) and a few drawings illustrate the various details of leaves.
Sometimes there was just too much detail. Mostly it was calling attention to an often overlooked part of plants because we tend to focus on flowers. A glossary at the back would have been helpful as I had difficulty retaining the many technical scientific terms and couldn't always find my way to where they were explained, if they were explained.
Chapters are: The basic functions and structure of a leaf; Leaf shape and arrangement; Veins (the plumbing of a leaf; Leaf margins; Cotyledons (the seed leaves of plants); Young leaves (how and why they look different); Variegated leaves; Floating leaves; Succulent leaves; Poisons and prickles (leaves that defend their plants); Leaves of prey (carnivorous plant); Leaves as homes; Leaves as propagules (leaves that can make more plants); Leaf hairs; Epiphylly (leaves of burden, leaves that carry flowers); Modified leaves (spines, tendrils, brachts); Leaves in mass; Leaves that move; Patterns of leaf damage (the visiting cards of insects); Useful leaves (herbs, food, fibers); Fossil leaves (traces of the past); The mimicry of leaves by insects; The herbarium and leaf collecting.
Recommended. This book gives you a new appreciation for the many and varied kinds of leaves there are in the world. Though this book was published in 1985 I doubt that it has been superceded by another book. The color photos don't look at all faded. Beautiful.
Sometimes there was just too much detail. Mostly it was calling attention to an often overlooked part of plants because we tend to focus on flowers. A glossary at the back would have been helpful as I had difficulty retaining the many technical scientific terms and couldn't always find my way to where they were explained, if they were explained.
Chapters are: The basic functions and structure of a leaf; Leaf shape and arrangement; Veins (the plumbing of a leaf; Leaf margins; Cotyledons (the seed leaves of plants); Young leaves (how and why they look different); Variegated leaves; Floating leaves; Succulent leaves; Poisons and prickles (leaves that defend their plants); Leaves of prey (carnivorous plant); Leaves as homes; Leaves as propagules (leaves that can make more plants); Leaf hairs; Epiphylly (leaves of burden, leaves that carry flowers); Modified leaves (spines, tendrils, brachts); Leaves in mass; Leaves that move; Patterns of leaf damage (the visiting cards of insects); Useful leaves (herbs, food, fibers); Fossil leaves (traces of the past); The mimicry of leaves by insects; The herbarium and leaf collecting.
Recommended. This book gives you a new appreciation for the many and varied kinds of leaves there are in the world. Though this book was published in 1985 I doubt that it has been superceded by another book. The color photos don't look at all faded. Beautiful.
Displaying 1 of 1 review