Flowers : how they changed the world /

From the sublime aroma exuded by a velvety rose to the fiery intensity of a tropical orchid, flowers influence our world in stimulating ways, but flowers are so much more than mere eye-candy in the lush perennial garden. Flowers have, in fact, been responsible for significant transformations throughout our planet's history, as complex societies developed and flourished based on their cultivation of flowering plants. Combining a botanist's orderly approach with an environmentalist's comprehensive appreciation, Burger traces the evolutionary history of flowering plants, emphasizing the critical importance their biological functions play in the overall health of our planet. Asking--and answering--such basic questions as what is a flower, why are they so varied, and where did they come from, Burger logically guides the reader onto more complex subjects, such as biodiversity, climate change, and agricultural symbiosis. Although written in an appealing, conversational style, Burger's treatise will be best appreciated by readers with at least a fundamental understanding of botanical principles. --Carol Haggas Copyright 2006 Booklist

Behind its provocative title stands an engaging and beautifully written look at how flowering plants, over more than 100 million years, have "transformed terrestrial ecosystems, supported the origin of primates, and helped us humans become the masters of our planet." In a short but sweet overview that can be enjoyed by laypeople and scientists alike, Burger, curator emeritus in the Department of Botany at Chicago's Field Museum, delivers a perfect match to his earlier work, the well-received Perfect Planet, Clever Species. Burger begins with the specifics of what actually defines a flowering plant-a group that, as some readers will be surprised to discover, doesn't include the bougainvillea or dogwoods (which Burger calls "pseudo-flowers"), but does include the carrot and grasses. He then deftly explores the ways in which plants are "particularly challenged" in defending themselves from plant eaters; how early insect-eating primates began to climb trees in search of insects, whose numbers grew in flowering trees; and how flowering plants provide a huge portion of human nutrition. Burger convincingly argues that, while plants have changed the world, it's now time for humans, who have gained so much from plants, to protect their future existence. Illus. not seen by PW. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Flowers give pleasure with their beauty and variety, but the importance of angiosperms, or flowering plants, goes far beyond that. In this wide-ranging book, Burger (botany, curator emeritus, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; Perfect Planet, Clever Species) discusses their origins and evolution, their diverse lifestyles, and their importance in fostering genetic diversity not only among plants but among the animals that depend on them and have coevolved with them, including humans. Further, Burger explains how flowering plants transformed terrestrial ecosystems, continue to be essential to environmental health, and interact with soils. He traces the origins of agriculture and discusses the few plants on which we most depend for such uses as food supply. Finally, he explains his concern for how our species is degrading our environment and what it means for our future. Burger writes in a conversational and readable style. There are extensive bibliographic notes, a glossary of botanical terms, illustrations, and a color insert (index not seen). This interesting book on a subject of importance to our past and future is appropriate for all types of libraries.-Marit Taylor, Auraria Lib., Denver (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.