Anatomy of Flowering Plants : An Introduction to Plant Structure and Development

Well-illustrated fourth edition, representing a clear and succinct text for students, researchers and anyone interested in plant form. Describes the internal structure of flowering plants, using a magnification range from the simple hand-lens to the electron microscope. Covers all plant organs, including stem, root, leaf, flower, seed and fruit.

Understanding plant anatomy is not only fundamental to the study of plant systematics and palaeobotany, but is also an essential part of evolutionary biology, physiology, ecology and the rapidly expanding science of developmental genetics. This modernised new edition covers all aspects of comparative plant structure and development, arranged in a series of chapters on the stem, root, leaf, flower, pollen, seed and fruit. Internal structures are described using magnification aids from the simple hand-lens to the electron microscope. Numerous references to recent topical literature are included, and new illustrations reflect a wide range of flowering plant species. The phylogenetic context of plant names has been updated as a result of improved understanding of the relationships among flowering plants. This clearly written text is ideal for students studying a wide range of courses in botany and plant science, and is also an excellent resource for professional and amateur horticulturists.