Stephen A. Harris is an Associate Professor of Plant Sciences and curator of the herbarium at the University of Oxford. His books include Sunflowers (Reaktion, 2018) and Roots to Seeds: 400 Years of Oxford Botany (2021).
a fascinating exploration of biology, ecology and cultural
significance. Harris describes the importance of thistles for the
Scots, edelweiss for Austrians and chrysanthemums for the Japanese,
often with amusing anecdotes. Open the book at any page and you
will discover something fascinating.
*Gardens Illustrated ‘Best Gardening Books of the Year 2018’*
Asteraceae encompasses marigolds, chrysanthemums, daisies, lettuce,
thistles and dozens of other familiar plants. The book is a
fascinating exploration of the family’s biology, ecology and
cultural significance . . . Open the book at any page and you will
discover something new, and often surprising, about the sunflower
family.
*Garden Answers*
[Harris] has a lovely writing style that blends an authoritative
understanding of his subject matter with a charming and accessible
sense of prose . . . anyone interested in plants, in general, or
one of the most specious families of flowering plants, in
particular, will find this volume to be both entertaining and
informative. After reading this book, you will never look at a head
of lettuce again with the same attitude as you once had.
*The Quarterly Review of Biology*
After an extensive biological background of the Asteraceae, the
author complements the biology with much fascinating historical and
cultural information on this plant group . . . Part of Reaktion
Books’ ambitious Botanical series, which presents various plants
from a natural and cultural history perspective, this fascinating
and exhaustively researched volume is appropriate for college or
advanced high school readers. It would be a valuable addition to a
classroom library . . . Profusely illustrated with captivating
photographs.
*American Biology Teacher*
With approx. 32,000 species it’s one of the biggest assemblages of
flowering plants on the planet, and is therefore a family worthy of
celebration. And celebrate that amazing family is what Harris does
in this remarkable book . . . a fine read, and an enjoyable one . .
. Sunflowers is certainly informative and educational.
*Botany One*
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