Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Deni Bown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0881924857 | ISBN-13: 978-0881924855 | Publication Date: September 8, 2000 | Edition: Second Edition

Originally published in 1988 as the first truly comprehensive review of one of the largest and most popular plant families, Aroids was enthusiastically welcomed by botanists and horticulturists alike for its attention to scientific detail and delightful writing style. Now in this completely updated second edition, we learn of discoveries made in the last decade as the family has grown from about 2500 species to nearer 3200. The latest taxonomic and nomenclatural revisions are noted in the checklist of genera, and all the original drawings are included plus twice as many color photos. A new guide to the cultivation of ornamental aroids completes this well-rounded introduction to a remarkable family.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A tantalizing and wide ranging read on the natural history of aroids ... Evocative, stimulating and accessible even on the most scientific aspects of her work. Captures the essence of this extraordinarily weird and wonderful family in a mouth-watering way."—Fergus Garrett, Gardens Illustrated, October 2001 (Fergus Garrett Gardens Illustrated )

"It makes for some fascinating reading."—Choice, January 2001 (Choice )

"A scholarly review of this amazing family ... Puts into context the origins and habits of aroids and their cultivation."—Stephen Pategas, Ornamental Outlook, April 2005 (Stephen Pategas Ornamental Outlook )

Book Description

Covers both botanical & horticultural aspects of these extraordinary & diverse plants in a substantially revised new edition. (Originally published in 1988).

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 468 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; Second Edition edition (September 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881924857
• ISBN-13: 978-0881924855
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A plant family that may be more ingenious than the orchids, December 20, 2005

By 

goosefish (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family (Hardcover)

I've long been a fan of the Orchidaceae, but I didn't know that the Aroids are possibly an even more advanced branch of the Monocotlydons. This book exposes some shocking facts. Some species routinely metabolize lipids to generate temperatures over 100 F around their inflorescence while surrounding temps are near freezing. Other species manufacture aromatic compounds rarely encountered outside of the ANIMAL kingdom. There are aroids we can eat, and others that smell so horrible they inspire nightmares. Some species' reproductive contrivances are almost too imaginative for the plant kingdom.

Deni Bown has provided an invaluable service: she's compiled nearly everything Aroid known to science into one, comprehensive yet accessible book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating guide to one of the most unusual plant species, August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family (Hardcover)

Very interesting look at one of the most unusual plant species on this planet! Brown gives us information on habitat, medicinal value, mythology concerning aroids and much more. This book is a must have for aroid enthusiasts!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that all aroidophiles MUST have., July 29, 2010

By 

petegranada - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family (Paperback)

I believe that is the most comprehensive book on the entire aroid family currently available. At no stage does it purport to be a guide to cultivation; rather, it is a well-written and entertaining botanical read covering many fascinating aspects of the morphology, ecology, geography, reproductive strategies and other aspects of these astonishing plants. Within the limited confines of a slim volume, and in the light of such a huge diversity of species, this book fulfills its criteria to an exceptionally high standard.