Product Description

The history of plants and flowers.

Botanical paintings and fascinating essays are combined in Plant Discoveries to examine the fascinating history of plants and flowers. Over 20 plant families are profiled including cacti, daffodils, iris, magnolia, poppies, roses, tulips, conifers, hibiscus, palms and waterlilies.

Throughout history, plants have dramatically affected the lives of individuals and society as a whole. Holland's infamous tulip craze is now legend. The 17th century spice trade was so profitable that stevedores who unloaded nutmeg from the boats were obliged to wear coveralls without pockets since only a few nutmegs were worth a fortune.

The natural history of the plants themselves is an engrossing topic. The book suggests that plants take a more active role in their survival than commonly assumed. It discusses how plants have adopted remarkable strategies for survival in a variety of harsh habitats. One such plant is the dead horse arum -- a putrid-smelling plant that adapted to compete with dead birds to attract pollinating carrion flies.

Plants that gardeners now take for granted once could only be found in remote and hostile regions. Plant Discoveries tells the fascinating story of the adventurous botanist explorers who braved disease, slave traders, war, jungles and other dangers to collect plants now commonly grown in our own backyards.

These pages are graced with hundreds of stunning color illustrations selected from the vast collection of botanical paintings archived at the Natural History Museum, London. Plant Discoveries is an exciting voyage of discovery and a must-have volume for lovers of art, botany, and adventure.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #217424 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

From Booklist
Before there were digital cameras producing detailed photographs, botanists relied on the pens and palettes of virtuoso artists who accompanied intrepid explorers on their ambitious, and frequently dangerous, plant-collecting expeditions. In a sweeping and sumptuous examination of this fortunate synergy, Knapp unlocks the resources of London's Natural History Museum to profile the influential plants that populate today's suburban gardens and urban conservatories and the artists who brought them to life. An internationally acclaimed botanist and taxonomy expert, Knapp presents the legend and the lore, the data and the details behind more than 20 common and exotic plant families, highlighted by exceptional, never-before-published treasures from the museum's extensive archives. As enlightening as it is entertaining, intriguing as it is informative, this sweeping guide reveals the timeless enchantment of exquisite botanical art. From the awe-inspiring alien allure of cacti to the opulent lushness of peonies, Knapp's commanding discourse pays homage to the artists and scientists who endeavored to preserve and protect the world's exquisite and fragile floral treasures. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
A compelling voyage... fascinating tales... hundreds of masterpieces. -- Linda Stilkowski, Winnipeg Free Press 12/07/2003

A lush and lovely book that would take root with any gardener or print collector. -- Globe and Mail 11/22/2003

As... intriguing as it is informative, this sweeping guide reveals the timeless enchantment of exquisite botanical art. -- Carol Haggas, Booklist / RBB 02/15/2004

Besides being full of great stories, the book is a treasure trove of botanical illustrations. -- Valerie Berenyi, Calgary Herald 11/30/2003

Colorful, intricate botanical paintings... detailed text describing the histories, structures and beauties of various families of plants... stunning illustrations. -- Gretchen Heber, Austin American-Statesman 11/15/2003

Elegantly illustrated... Knapp's text links the dreamy watercolors and drawings... with stories of the plants' and flowers' discoveries. -- Peggy Earle, Norfolk Virginian-Pilot 12/07/2003

If you enjoy art, science and the history of garden plants this book will fascinate you... magnificent. -- Brenda Ruzycki, Edmonton Sun 12/28/2003

Stunning artwork from London's Natural History Museum accompanies botanists Sandra Knapp's look at common garden plants. -- Macleans 12/08/2003

The ultimate botanical cocktail table book, with its amazing collection of botanical prints... [Knapp] has succeeded amazingly well. -- Joan Richards, Current Books on Gardening and Botany [Chicago Botanic Garden] 06/2004

Review
If you enjoy art, science and the history of garden plants this book will fascinate you... magnificent. (Brenda Ruzycki Edmonton Sun 20031228)

Stunning... A serious gardener will weep with joy when she opens this book. (Mary Ann Grossmann St Paul Pioneer Press 20031123)

A compelling voyage... fascinating tales... hundreds of masterpieces. (Linda Stilkowski Winnipeg Free Press 20031207)

The ultimate botanical cocktail table book, with its amazing collection of botanical prints... [Knapp] has succeeded amazingly well. (Joan Richards Current Books on Gardening and Botany [Chicago Bot 200406)

Stirring stories of brave botanists daring disease, oceans, wars and jungles to collect... the plants we take for granted today. (Valerie Easton Seattle Times 20031214)

A scholarly work... the paintings and illustrations... are as impressive as the writing. (Dan Vierria Sacramento Bee 20031213)

A treasury of botanical illustration... an intriguing book. (The Oregonian 20031211)

Elegantly illustrated... Knapp's text links the dreamy watercolors and drawings... with stories of the plants' and flowers' discoveries. (Peggy Earle Norfolk Virginian-Pilot 20031207)

Scientific, historic, and cultural perspectives on plants that have been gathered from around the globe. (Science 20040514)

Without question, the most enticing book in recent years. (Peter Goddard Toronto Star 20040522)

A lush and lovely book that would take root with any gardener or print collector. (Globe and Mail 20031122)

Stunning artwork from London's Natural History Museum accompanies botanists Sandra Knapp's look at common garden plants. (Macleans 20031208)

Takes readers back in time... when botanists routinely faced adventure and danger... generously illustrated with masterpieces of botanical reproductions. (Suzannne Hively Cleveland Plain Dealer 20031113)

Colorful, intricate botanical paintings... detailed text describing the histories, structures and beauties of various families of plants... stunning illustrations. (Gretchen Heber Austin American-Statesman 20031115)

Besides being full of great stories, the book is a treasure trove of botanical illustrations. (Valerie Berenyi Calgary Herald 20031130)

Knapp goes beyond the call of duty, taking readers on a voyage of discovery... Lovely book... recommended for all libraries. (Marit MacArthur Taylor Library Journal 20040228)

A solid, substantive, classy book. Highly recommended. (Liam Kennedy American Gardener 20040215)

A great coffee table book that one can pick up and nibble with lazy pleasure. (Jackie Shane E-Streams 20040301)

A wonderful blend of science and adventure... beautiful and engaging. (Science News 200404)

As... intriguing as it is informative, this sweeping guide reveals the timeless enchantment of exquisite botanical art. (Carol Haggas Booklist / RBB 20041216)

Page after page of stunning, beautiful, and intricate illustrations of plants... a tasteful blend of art and science. (Prachi Patel Audubon )

This volume is a real treat for everyone keen on botanical art and lore. (L.W. Roberts Choice )

A very special book. (Marty Figley Minnesota Observer and Eccentric Newspapers )

Customer Reviews

A Botanical Delight
This is a wonderful book. The pictures are beautiful and so is the writing. The text consists of literary-scientific essays about groups of plants familiar even to a botanical neophyte like myself. Gracefully written and fascinating, the essays alone would make an excellent book. They and the pictures together make for a truly extraordinary volume. I enjoyed this book enormously. It's a treat for both the eyes and the intellect.

Worth adding to one's collection
I believe Ms Knapp has found a subject she truly loves, and has put her love into words to accompany the beautiful illustrations. As regards the illustrations: art and science do compliment one another and this is proof. Although some illustrations are obviously more accurately rendered than others, they all contribute in some way (some more than others) to our knowledge of the kingdom of Plants, but also in some way to our knowledge of ourselves. I think it must have been so in the days of the explorers who collected and put pen to paper to create these rich troves of information. You may decide that you love plants too, after reading Ms Knapps very frank and captivatingly direct prose.