Table of Contents

Preface; The nature of the problem; The size of the problem; Towards a solution to the problem; The rules of botanical nomenclature - Family names; Generic names; Species names; Epithets commemorating people; Geographical epithets; Categories below the rank of species; Hybrids; Synonymy and illegitimacy; The international code of nomenclature for cultivated plants; Graft chimaeras; The glossary; Bibliography.

Promotional Information

This book is a reference for botanists and horticulturalists, including an historic account of names and a comprehensive glossary.

Reviews

'This small book holds an incredible amount of information … a handy reference for anyone learning about plants … Understanding the history behind the rules of nomenclature should help the professional, student, and gardener alike to comprehend why plants are named the way they are.' Horticultural Science

'… I judge a book, mostly, by how much I learn from it. And I learned a lot from this one.' Systematic Botany

'A remarkably useful and interesting little book … should be on the bookshelf of every biologist.' Biological Conservation

'The entire book is written in such a way that a person with limited botanical background can understand it, yet it does not come across as trivial or boring to the professional … The book is excellent.' William J. Crins, The Canadian Field-Naturalist

'… thoroughly recommended as a scholarly and carefully produced guide to plant names and meanings.' Countryside

… twice the size of the last edition with over 17,000 entries. … the 380 page glossary [is] the book's value and fascination. … In short, this book is a treasure – anyone with a glimmer of interest in plants should have a copy.' The Biologist

'… The increase in information is incredible. The authors of the family treatments and specialists that have contributed to this volume are warmly complimented on the results. … This is an extremely useful, valuable and essential contribution and it is recommended to all who want to know what names 'mean'. I am going to buy this book.' Blumea