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Handbook
of North European Plants, with keys to families and genera A short introduction explains how this volume is meant to provide an up-to-date equivalent of JWC Kirk's A British Garden Flora, published by Edward Arnold in 1927 (incidentally a book which this reviewer only came across recently). The keys and descriptions are based on The European Garden Flora (6 vols 1984-2000), of which Dr Cullen was the chief editor. Due to space limitations, it was necessary to keep the notes on the genus and species as compact as possible, thus 'Lavandula Linnaeus. 32/12 and some hybrids' indicates that the genus Lavandula is generally recognised as containing some 32 species, with 12 of these and some hybrids to be found in cultivation. Straight away, one is launched into the keys for the subclasses and families of the monocotyledons (4 pages), followed by descriptions of the families and genera (98 pages), within which are some 20 plates of black and white illustrations. Liliaceae is still treated in the traditional sense but the reference to Monocotyledons: a comparative survey by R Dahlgren & H T Clifford (1982) as a pointer to more modern thinking, has been long superseded. Acorus. now universally recognised as the most basal monocot, is in its own family and not in the Araceae. The main bulk of the book is taken up with the dicotyledons, of which keys to the groups and families take up 19 pages and there are 111 plates of black and white illustrations. In particular, the larger and more confusing temperate families are well represented. Compositae comprise some 16 pages of keys, nine of plates and 36 of text. Leguminosae takes up some 24 pages in total, while Rosaceae gets 22 pages. Smaller families are not neglected. Finally, there is a 15-page glossary accompanied by four black and white plates, but where relevant reference is made to other figures within the main text. This I found very useful. What I particularly like is the way the book is laid out. The typeface is very clear, although it might be a little too small for some people. The language of the descriptions of each family and genus is concise but easy to read and understand with a minimum of technical terms. The black and white plates show a mixture of diagnostic features, fruits, flower parts, etc. and form another positive feature of this book. To sum up: an excellent
volume to keep within easy reach, but somewhat on the heavy side for my
definition of a handbook! Handbook of North
European Plants, with keys to families and genera. Edited by James Cullen
(640pages) is published by the Cambridge University Press, The Edinburgh
Building, Cambridge CB2 1BR. Origin
of Plants
For those who, when confronted with a plant wonders "Where does it come from?" - this is the book for you. The major plant introductions to the United Kingdom over the last thousand years are covered in an entertaining manner. The millennium is divided into ten historical periods and historical events have been carefully interwoven with plant arrivals playing everything into a time context. It is interesting to note how the rate of plant introductions varied over this period of time with the period of least introductions being the 15th century when the only significant introductions were Crocus nudiflorus (autumn crocus) and Ornithognlum umbellatuni (Star of Bethlehem). As well as historical facts the text is interspersed with many delightful, and often amusing anecdotes about plants. In my experience these came to mind later when faced with the plants in my own garden. For example, one of the early introductions, Dianthus Caryophyllus (wild carnation or clove pink), is thought to have travelled to the UK as seed in the building stone brought over from Caen for the construction of the castles of William the Conqueror. The text is liberally broken up by well-chosen illustrations covering a wide range of subjects including botanical/flower paintings, sketches of equipment, photographs of gardens and terrains and maps. The Origin of Plants
is a serious reference book that makes an engrossing read if read cover
to cover, but may just as fruitfully be used to dip in and out whenever
necessary. Whatever your reading habit, this is a book to be enjoyed,
kept and treasured for years. The Origin of Plants by Maggie Campbell-Culver (260 pages) is published by Headline, 338 Euston Road, London NW1 3BH. Price £25. ISBN No: 0747 27214 X. BOOK DISCOUNTS |