Comprises over 2400 terms commonly used to describe vascular plants. The majority are structural terms referring to parts of plants visible with the naked eye or with a x10 hand lens, but some elementary microscopical and physiological terms are also included, as appropriate. Each term is defined accurately and concisely, and whenever possible, cross referenced to clearly labelled line drawings made mainly from living material. The illustrations are presented together in a section comprising 127 large format pages, within which they are grouped according to specific features, such as leaf shape or flower structure, so allowing comparison of different forms at a glance. The illustrations therefore provide a unique compilation of information that can be referred to independently of the definitions. This makes the glossary a particularly versatile reference work for all those needing a guide to botanical terminology and plant structure.
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- Notes to readers
- Symbols
- Prefixes (general)
- Prefixes (numerical)
- Suffixes
- Measurements
- Taxonomic ranks
- Part I. The Glossary
- Part II. The Illustrations: Roots, storage organs and vegetative reproduction
- Seeds and seedlings
- Growth and life forms
- General features of flowering plants
- Plant features and responses
- Leaf-like structures and other vegetative features
- Leaves
- Hairs and scales
- Floral features
- Flower structure
- Features of certain plant families
- Fruits
- Conifers and conifer allies
- Ferns and fern allies
"This illustrated glossary will be welcomed by those who still enjoy the challenges of identifying and naming vascular plants. It is an excellent guide to botanical terminology and the diagrams are good examples of how illustrations could be produced by authors and by students. The producers of this book have performed a useful service and are to be congratulated for providing a book that is needed."
- Biologist
"[...] an admirable piece of work, and one that will prove very useful to many people. Recommended!"
- Royal Botanic Gardens
"A useful adjunct to a general botanical library [...]."
- Mycotaxon
"[...] a very helpful reference."
- American Society & Botanical Artists Newsletter
"[...] an excellent book, to be strongly recommended to everyone with a need to describe plants accurately or to de-mystify technical descriptions."
- Journal of Field Studies