Fifty plants that changed the course of history

Alternate Titles

• 50 plants that changed the course of history

Description

The fascinating stories of the plants that changed civilizations. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History is a beautifully presented guide to the plants that have had the greatest impact on human civilization. Entries feature a description of the plant, its botanical name, its native range and its primary functions -- edible, medicinal, commercial or practical. Concise text is highlighted by elegant botanical drawings, paintings and photographs as well as insightful quotes. Many of the plants are well known, such as rice, tea, cotton, rubber, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, wine grapes and corn. However, there are also many whose stories are less known. These history-changing plants include: Agave, used to make sisal, poison arrows, bullets, tequila and surgical thread Pineapple, which influenced the construction of greenhouses and conservatories Hemp, used for hangman's rope, sustainable plastics, the Declaration of Independence and Levi's jeans Coconut, used for coir fiber, soap, margarine, cream, sterile IV drips and coagulants Eucalyptus, used in mouthwash, diuretics, vitamins, honey, underwear and fire-resistant uniforms Sweet pea, which Gregor Mendel used in his research on genetic heredity White mulberry, used to make silk English oak, used for fire-resistant structures, dyes, leather tanning, charcoal, casks and ships White willow, used in the manufacture of aspirin, cricket bats, hot-air balloon baskets and coffins This attractive reference provides an innovative perspective on both botanical and human history.

Description

[This] is a beautifully presented guide to the plants that have had the greatest impact on human civilization. Weaving together strands of economic, political, and industrial history, each entry is a fascinating look at the most influential plants known to mankind. -- P. [4] of cover.

Subjects

Other Editions

• Fifty plants that changed the course of historyFirefly Books2010-01-01
• Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of HistoryHardcoverDavid & Charles Publishers2010-11-26
• 50 Plantas que han cambiado el curso de la HistoriaLibrero2013-01-01
• 50 planten die de geschiedenis veranderd hebbenHardcoverLibrero2020-01-01