Synopses & Reviews
Few people are aware of the great diversity of resin-producing plants or the remarkable roles resins play for plants and people. Resins evolved millions of years ago to defend plants against their enemies, as recorded by fossil resins like amber, and humans have used them since prehistory. Plant Resins tells the whole story about these fascinating plant products. The book is richly illustrated with maps, color and black-and-white photographs, and exquisite line drawings by Jesse Markman. This comprehensive and integrated discussion of resins will appeal to botanists, ecologists, ethnobotanists, chemists, anthropologists, archeologists, museum conservators, and amber enthusiasts.
Review
"Langenheim, a respected resin authority, has done a commendable task. Few books have been published on this topic, so her book will be the benchmark for resins."
—R. P. Poincelot, Choice, October 2003 Choice
Review
"An authoritative and definitive work of interest and utility to readers working in botany, biology, chemistry, ecology, anthropology, or history."
—Charlotte Tancin, Huntia, June 2005 Huntia
Review
"An excellent complement to the conservation, art technology, and cultural history literature and one that can offer great enrichment and enjoyment. So, a must-have browser!"
—Ruth E. Norton, Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Fall/Winter 2005
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 501-568) and indexes.
About the Author
Jean H. Langenheim is Professor Emeritus of Biology and Research Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz. She has researched resins for many years, publishing extensively with her students about resin-producing plants along the North American Pacific coast, throughout the New World tropics, and in other parts of the world. Her unusual breadth of background, as demonstrated in Plant Resins, has been recognized by her election as president of the Ecological Society of America, Association for Tropical Biology, International Society of Chemical Ecology, and Society for Economic Botany.