Books in the Botanical series

A beautifully illustrated account of the botanical and cultural faces of the ash tree.

Richly illustrated throughout, Birch presents a fascinating overview of their cultural and ecological significance, from botany to literature and art, as Anna Lewington looks both at the history of birches and what the future may hold in store for them.

Recounts the origins, art, literature and legends of the cherry tree.

This sumptuously illustrated book tells the remarkable story of the mulberry tree.

With vibrant illustrations and tales of medieval best-sellers, nurserymen's rivalries and changing tastes in the flower bed, this book traces the journey of the rose across the centuries, from battles to bouquets, charting its botanical, religious, literary and artistic history.

In Palm Fred Gray portrays the cultural and historical significance of this iconic and controversial plant over thousands of years. Superbly illustrated, this lively and engaging book is the first of its kind.

In Cannabis Chris Duvall explores the cultural history and geography of humanity's most widely distributed crop, which supplies both hemp and marijuana.

Today geraniums can be found throughout the world, their widespread use in food and perfume manufacture as well as floral display exemplifying the global industrialization of plant production. This book details how the amenable geranium remains a plant that many love and others love to hate, but above all it is a flower that is seldom ignored.

Dan Torre uniquely explores the natural, cultural and social history of cacti - with particular emphasis on how these remarkable plants have been represented in art, literature, cinema, animation and popular culture around the world.

Humble yet vital, grasses are the ultimate staple crop, influencing our lives throughout humanity's biological, sociological and cultural history. This book explains the profound and oft-neglected importance of the botanical marvel.

More than any other tree, the Oak has been a symbol of strength and durability. The Oak has been adopted by many countries as a national symbol, particularly in Western Europe and the United States. This book examines this magnificent and ubiquitous tree, tracing its biological history in its many manifestations, natural and cultural.