by Brian Capon (Revised Edition 2008)If you are interested in the how and why of plant growth, you may be interested in this book. Questions like - how does auxin cause seedlings to turn towards the light? or how do water and nutrients get from the roots to the top of a tall tree? - are answered. It reads like the Science Channel TV show “How It’s Made”.
It is written with a sense of awe and a love of nature.
A quote from the section on growth:
- “Leaves”
“None of the wonders of our technological age can match the miraculous awakening of a tree from winter sleep, to put on its spring attire of rich, green, fresh new foliage – a spectacle of regenerative power that only nature is capable of performing.”
.
Illustrations are excellent and plentiful.
There’s a lot of technical information in this book - everything from abscission to zygote – but It’s a readable reference book.
I picked up much information from “Botany for Gardeners”. The leaf identification drawings were very clear. I’ve got all the names for leaf shape, leaf parts and vein patterns clear in my mind. At least until I don’t.
(Penn State Leaf Identification guide.)
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TRIVIA TANGENT
US/World Population Clock
According to the International Programs Center, U.S. Census Bureau, the total population of the World, projected to 02/25/10 at 15:04 UTC (EST+5) is 6,804,963,067.
U.S. population in 2009 - 307,212,123. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the resident population of the United States, projected to 02/25/10 at 15:30 UTC (EST+5) is 308,756,103. Increase of 154,398. Net gain of one person every 13 seconds.
2 comments:
Marie, I've never once questioned how auxin causes seedlings to turn towards the light. But, now you've got me wondering and you've also provided the source for finding the answer. In fact, I've never heard the word auxin before:)
I rarely hear/read about Zero Population Growth these days. Guess everything is tuned to global warming now. What will be next?
donna
Donna,
It's funny how the question of auxin never comes up in conversation.
It's also funny that no one cites population growth in connection with global warming.
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