Often growing far above the ground, "air plants" (or epiphytes) defy many of our common perceptions about plants. The majority use their roots only for attachment in the crowns of larger, usually woody plants-or to objects such as rocks and buildings-and derive moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere and by collecting falling debris. Only the mistletoes are true parasites. Epiphytes are not anomalies and there are approximately 28,000 species-about...

Flowers are more than just beautiful, fragrant objects for our enjoyment. Pink petals, green stems, dark unfurling leaves: though we have seen them countless times, do we truly know what they are there for? In this title, readers will learn in detail the many parts of a plant.

It takes tremendous biological creativity to be a plant. To survive and thrive while rooted in a single spot, plants have adapted ingenious methods of survival. In recent years, scientists have learned about their ability to communicate, recognize their kin and behave socially, hear sounds, morph their bodies to blend into their surroundings, store useful memories that inform their life cycle, and trick animals into behaving to their benefit, to name...

Dr. Brewer is doing a little plant testing in his basement. Nothing to worry about. Harmless, really. But Margaret and Casey Brewer are worried about their father. Especially when they "meet" some of the plants he is growing down there. Then they notice that their father is developing plant-like tendencies. In fact, he is becoming distinctly weedy-and seedy.

A story about classmates who try to grow grass for a contest teaches young readers about grasses.

Different kinds of plants have different kinds of stems. Daisies have thin stems, while redwood trees have thick, woody stems. What do these stems do? Readers discover the answer with the help of clear, age-appropriate text that supports common science curriculum topics. Colorful diagrams enhance the main text, helping young readers visualize the concepts they are reading about.

Examines the role of plants in botanical mythology, from Aboriginal Australia to Zoroastrian Persia. Plants have a remarkable mythology dating back thousands of years. From the ancient Greeks to contemporary Indigenous cultures, human beings have told colorful and enriching stories that have presented plants as sensitive, communicative, and intelligent. This book explores the myriad of plant tales from around the world and the groundbreaking ideas...

"In this book, readers follow experiments and think critically to understand plants."-- Provided by publisher.

Plants play a vital role to life on planet Earth. They harness the energy of the sun, making them the first link on every food chain. They take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we need to breathe. This innovative book lets readers learn all about plants in a hands-on way with cool experiments they can do in their own backyards and homes. Step-by-step instructions and full-color photographs ensure that each activity is easy to follow. Handy...

Forensic Botany: A Practical Guide is an accessible introduction to the way in which botanical evidence is identified, collected and analysed in criminal cases. Increasingly this form of evidence is becoming more important in forensic investigation and yet there are few trained botanists able to assist in such cases. This book is intended to show how useful simple collection methods and standard plant analysis can be in the course of such investigations...