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More copies of this ISBN:Nature's Palette: The Science of Plant Colorby David Lee
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Though he didn’t realize it at the time, David Lee began this book twenty-five years ago as he was hiking in the mountains outside Kuala Lumpur. Surrounded by the wonders of the jungle, Lee found his attention drawn to one plant in particular, a species of fern whose electric blue leaves shimmered amidst the surrounding green. The evolutionary wonder of the fern’s extravagant beauty filled Lee with awe—and set him on a career-long journey to understand everything about plant colors. Nature’s Palette is the fully ripened fruit of that journey—a highly illustrated, immensely entertaining exploration of the science of plant color. Beginning with potent reminders of how deeply interwoven plant colors are with human life and culture—from the shifting hues that told early humans when fruits and vegetables were edible to the indigo dyes that signified royalty for later generations—Lee moves easily through details of pigments, the evolution of color perception, the nature of light, and dozens of other topics. Through a narrative peppered with anecdotes of a life spent pursuing botanical knowledge around the world, he reveals the profound ways that efforts to understand and exploit plant color have influenced every sphere of human life, from organic chemistry to Renaissance painting to the highly lucrative orchid trade. Lavishly illustrated and packed with remarkable details sure to delight gardeners and naturalists alike, Nature’s Palette will enchant anyone who’s ever wondered about red roses and blue violets—or green thumbs. Review:"What E. O. Wilson did for Biophilia, David Lee does for `Chlorophilia' and indeed the entirety of how we, a visual species, interact with the vegetative world around us. Lee does a masterful job in explaining the science underlying the colors produced by plants, and in doing so shows how they both illuminate and enrich our lives. No trip to the grocery store, the florist, or even out your front door will be the same after reading this book."--N. Michele Holbrook, Harvard University Review:"Designed to be understood by the well-educated layman, [the book] will serve equally as a good introductory text for undergraduates, getting out of our perceptual rut, and as a means of appreciating . . . the fruit and veg section of the local supermarket." Review:"[Lee] is at pains to convey his twin delights in plant anatomy and plant physiology to the non-specialist. He does this very well, indeed. . . . The colors of flowers, fruits, stems, and leaves: all are explained with clarity and precision." Review:"A variegated hybrid of a book: an elegantly produced and beautifully illustrated cross between personal memoir, botanical miscellany and student text."-Alan Cane, Financial Times (Alan Cane, Financial Times)Review:"Lee takes his readers through the social history, ecology, evolution and biochemistry of plant colour. Lee makes no apologies for his unabashedly personal approach, and his love and enthusiasm for the subject shine through on every page." Review:"Natures Palette will captivate the nonscientist as well as the scientist in everyone. . . . [Lee] presents a fascinating description of the impact and importance of plants to people. . . . The book is beautifully illustrated and includes topics ranging from the nature and distribution of plant pigments in various plant parts (leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, and roots) to the use of plants to color skin as well as fabric. . . . The science in the book is solid, but is presented in a clear, nonintimidating fashion. Natures Palette will appeal to a wide audience." About the AuthorDavid Lee is professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University and research collaborator at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami. Table of ContentsPreface
Acknowledgments One Coloring Our Bodies with Plants Two Light, Vision, and Color Three Nature's Palette Four The Canvas Five Patterns Six Leaves Seven Flowers Eight Fruits and Seeds Nine Stems and Roots Ten Iridescent Plants Eleven Why Leaves Turn Red Twelve Chlorophilia Appendix A: Plant Pigments and Related Molecules Appendix B: Separating Plant Pigments by Paper Chromatography Chapter Notes Illustration Notes Index What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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