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Sexus Botanicus: The Love Lives of Plants
A richly illustrated exploration of the astonishing diversity in sexual characteristics and behaviors of plants from the fig-tree to the sacred lotus.
Why do some plants flower while others do not? What happens during pollination? How can the Haleakalā silversword reproduce all alone? In Sexus Botanicus, artist and writer Joanne Anton sheds light on the fertilization process of plants and relates their origins and their spectacular diversity. While sexuality has long been a source of interest for us humans, we sometimes forget to consider its primordial role in evolution. Without sexuality and the genetic union it enables, life would not assume the biodiversity it displays.
Sexus Botanicus introduces us to a wide range of extraordinary specimens, some very ancient and still with us, and some their descendants by millions of time-traveling plants (from the wedding of a mushroom and an alga 450 million years ago to the amorous mosses that help maintain the balance of our ecosystems today); the literal flower-power sexual revolution of angiosperms (from their reliance on wind for sex to some of their edible ovaries we commonly refer to as “fruit”); zoophilic plants (from the sexual doings of bumblebees and tomato plants to the mutually beneficial pollination program between yucca and moths); the games of deception played between plants, insects, and birds; and the improbable plants operating in such extreme environments as deserts and volcanos (some of whom, such as Australia’s Queensland grasstree, utilize conflagration to reproduce).
Hand-illustrated by the author in color throughout, the book also includes a full glossary of all relevant terms to introduce readers to the scientific language of plant sex.
Why do some plants flower while others do not? What happens during pollination? How can the Haleakalā silversword reproduce all alone? In Sexus Botanicus, artist and writer Joanne Anton sheds light on the fertilization process of plants and relates their origins and their spectacular diversity. While sexuality has long been a source of interest for us humans, we sometimes forget to consider its primordial role in evolution. Without sexuality and the genetic union it enables, life would not assume the biodiversity it displays.
Sexus Botanicus introduces us to a wide range of extraordinary specimens, some very ancient and still with us, and some their descendants by millions of time-traveling plants (from the wedding of a mushroom and an alga 450 million years ago to the amorous mosses that help maintain the balance of our ecosystems today); the literal flower-power sexual revolution of angiosperms (from their reliance on wind for sex to some of their edible ovaries we commonly refer to as “fruit”); zoophilic plants (from the sexual doings of bumblebees and tomato plants to the mutually beneficial pollination program between yucca and moths); the games of deception played between plants, insects, and birds; and the improbable plants operating in such extreme environments as deserts and volcanos (some of whom, such as Australia’s Queensland grasstree, utilize conflagration to reproduce).
Hand-illustrated by the author in color throughout, the book also includes a full glossary of all relevant terms to introduce readers to the scientific language of plant sex.
- GenresNonfiction
184 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2023
9 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Anton
4 booksJoanne Anton a fait des études d’art dramatique au Conservatoire de Liège (Belgique). Depuis 1994 elle habite Paris (France), où elle obtient un diplôme de langue et littérature russes.
Joanne Anton studied drama at the Conservatoire of Liège (Belgium). Since 1994 she lives in Paris (France), where she obtained a degree in Russian language and literature.
Joanne Anton studied drama at the Conservatoire of Liège (Belgium). Since 1994 she lives in Paris (France), where she obtained a degree in Russian language and literature.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 14, 2024
Avvincenti e affascinanti dinamiche sulla fecondazione delle piante. Narrazione semplice, ma ricca di lessico specifico.
January 9, 2025
Mi aspettavo tutt'altro tipo di libro, purtroppo le descrizioni del libro sembravano indurre a credere che ci sarebbero state più connessioni/paragoni tra mondo sessuale vegetale e animale o un qualche tentativo di aprire la discussione anche a temi sociali / queer.
Invece è solamente un testo con vari esempi di tipi di riproduzione vegetale (alcuni sì molto interessanti) con un linguaggio anche molto tecnico e non facile da seguire. Non lo consiglio.
Meglio affidarsi a Mancuso per leggere di stranezze del mondo vegetale.
Invece è solamente un testo con vari esempi di tipi di riproduzione vegetale (alcuni sì molto interessanti) con un linguaggio anche molto tecnico e non facile da seguire. Non lo consiglio.
Meglio affidarsi a Mancuso per leggere di stranezze del mondo vegetale.
April 23, 2024
Molto interessante.
July 20, 2025
Illustrazioni carine ma pessimo modo di fare divulgazione : fatti potenzialmente interessanti raccontati nel modo più noioso possibile.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews