The Gardener's Botanical - by Ross Bayton (Hardcover)

About the Book

"With more than 5,000 entries and 350 botanical illustrations" --from title page

Book Synopsis

The definitive guide to botanical Latin

Unlock the secrets of botanical Latin with this beautifully illustrated encyclopedia. The Gardener's Botanical contains definitions of more than 5,000 plant names--from abbreviatus ("shortened") to zonatus ("with bands")--along with more than 350 color illustrations.

Scientific plant names are an invaluable tool for those who understand them. Formed from Greek and, more commonly, from Latin root words, not only do they make it possible for gardeners and botanists to communicate, they also contain a wealth of hidden information. The Gardener's Botanical is the key to unlocking these secrets. This guide contains a breathtaking array of botanical names in alphabetical order. Each word is listed with a pronunciation guide, definition, example plant, and, where appropriate, etymology. Also included in this illuminating guide are special features on important plant genera, fact boxes, essays focusing on the history and importance of Latin names and botanical illustrations, and an index of common names with more than 2,000 popular plants, cross-referenced with their binomial name in Latin.

Review Quotes

"[A] botanist's dream resource."---Sally Peterson, The Oregonian

"[A] bracing memory-fitness test, and a bit of a treasure hunt. Give in to the arcane, and be empowered: Get to know your plants, and the sometimes-nerdy snippets of the history of our human relationship with them, too."---Margaret Roach, New York Times

"[A] veritable treasure trove of information from the very first page to the final exquisite illustration."---David Gascoigne, Travels With Birds

"I'm really having fun with this big, beautiful book."---Margaret Roach, A Way to Garden

About the Author

Ross Bayton is a horticulturalist and freelance editor. His books include RHS Genealogy for Gardeners: Plant Families Explained and Explored, RHS Gardening School: Everything You Need to Know to Garden Like a Professional, and RHS Colour Companion: A Visual Dictionary of Colour for Gardeners.