Brian Capon

This was a really helpful book for me, since I was starting from scratch, or nearly so -- I have vague memories of xylem and phloem and gymnosperms and angiosperms from junior high school. The writing style is maybe a tad tedious at times, but the book is nicely arranged with lots of diagrams and corresponding photos of plants as seen normally and cells as seen by microscope. This is the level of detail -- mention of chemistry but focus on organization of cells, and on the basic structures show more and functions of plants. The emphasis is on angiosperms (flowering plants) with occasional comparisons to gymnosperms, ferns, mosses. Chapters are devoted to growth, nourishment, and reproduction. In additon to the basics are the variants, how roots and stems and leaves and flowers have been modified as plants have adapted to different environments. The result for me is a sense that plants are both simple in their essence and really really weird. Now what I want is a book about plant evolution.

(read 7 Mar 2009) show less

Excellent survey of botanical principles, with effective photos and illustrations to match. You'll get breadth but not-too-heavy depth. It's not prescriptive from a gardening standpoint, but begins to illuminate why gardeners employ certain strategies, and why plants behave as they do.

Not a scintillating read, but quite informative. Recommended if you're seeking a more intimate relationship with your plants.

A well laid-out book that introduces new concepts and botany terms in logical sequence. If one starts at the beginning and reads to the end, each chapter builds on previously covered information.