There are almost one third of a million species of plants which range in form from unicellular algae a few microns in diameter to gigantic trees that can grow to a height of 100 meters. Plant Life makes sense of the bewildering diversity of plants by treating them not just as photosynthetic factories, but as living organisms that are the survivors of millions of years of evolutionary struggle. The book examines plants from an evolutionary perspective to show how such a wide range of life forms has evolved and continues to thrive.The book is divided into three main sections. The first, introductory section sets out the necessary background of evolutionary and taxonomic theory and introduces a classification of living plants based on the ways in which they have evolved. The second part investigates how the challenges of life in the water and on land have led to the evolution of the major taxonomic groups of the plants, and describes the key adaptations that have contributed to the success of each group. The final section shows how the contrasting environments of the world's major climatic zones have led to the evolution of such different floras as those of tropical rainforests, prairies and deserts. This section introduces a fascinating range of plants with ingenious and often bizarre methods of survival and reproduction.Plant Life is an essential elementary text for undergraduate students and should prove a breath of fresh air for jaded botanists used to the traditional taxonomic grind through the plant kingdom.

Two biology professors at the U. of Manchester, England examine plants from an evolutionary perspective to show how the wide array of existing life forms has evolved. The volume's three major sections include an introduction setting out evolutionary and taxonomic background and introducing a classification of living plants; an examination of how life in the water and on land has led to the evolution of major taxonomic groups of plants; and discussion of how the contrasting environments of the world have led to evolution of such different floras.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"In recent years, there have been two landmark books extolling the wonders of plant life in a way we can all appreciate: Richard Mabey's Flora Britannica and David Attenborough's The Private Life of Plants. This is another in the same mould, and it is a must for anyone who takes delight in the world of plants." February 2000, BBC Wildlife Magazine <!--end-->

"This is an enjoyable book for its novel and refreshing approach to plant diversity."

30 November 2001, Michael Black, Times Higher Education Supplement

"The authors have made an interesting attempt to present the information in a fresh and more easily digested manner by departing from the traditional approach. The book is introductory and it is unfair to want more; indeed, it should be a mark of its success if it encourages students to find out more. I am sure that the book will find a place as a text in schools and at introductory level in universities. I shall be recommending it to my students." M Ingrouille, Annals of Botany, May 2002

This work makes sense of the diversity of plants by treating them not just as photosynthetic factories, but as living organisms that are the survivors of millions of years of evolutionary struggle.

Part I: .

1. Evolution and Plant Diversity.

2. The Evolutionary History of Plant Life.

Part II:.

3. Life Afloat.

4. Life on the Rocks.

5. Life on the Ground.

6. Life above the Ground.

7. Life from Seeds.

Part III:.

8. Life in the Wet Tropics.

9. Life in Seasonal Climates.

10. Life on the Edge.

11. Life back in the Water.

Appendix: A Classification of Plants.

Glossary.

Index