Flowering Plant Families of the World - Tapa dura

"Heywood's original book of the same name has been a standard reference work on the botanist's shelf since its publication in 1979 -and this is far more than just a new edition". Christopher Whitehouse, 'The Garden', August 2007."This informative, beautifully illustrated book is a pleasure to read and also acts as a timely reminder that plants not only enhance or environment but are the basis of our future and the survival of humankind". Matthew Biggs, Gardens Illustrated, June 2007.

Ranging from huge cacti and broadleaf trees to tiny arctic flowers, flowering plants are the most vital component of global biodiversity. They provide the crops that feed us, medicines, oils, fibres, herbs, spices, dyes, beverages, timber and habitats for countless animals. This updated and revised successor to a classic book, Flowering Plants of the World is an authoritative, fascinating introduction to the Earth's most colourful flora comprising comprehensive accounts of more than 500 flowering plant families. Each entry describes distribution, diagnostic features, classification, structures, uses and ecology of flowering plants. Over 1,000 visually stunning and precisely scaled illustrations display the major characteristics of key plants and detailed maps show worldwide distribution. Written by a team of acknowledged experts, this is the definitive survey of flowering plants worldwide and brings to the forefront the latest views on their classification. An extensive and meticulously illustrated glossary describes the specialist terms used in the text, and a comprehensive index includes plant names in both Latin and English. Both as a book of breathtaking beauty and a discourse on the science of flowering plants, this essential reference is sure to become a horticultural and botanical classic and part of every gardening enthusiast's and plant scientist's library.