Bromeliaceae: Profile of an Adaptive Radiation [Hardcover]

David H. Benzing (Author), B. Bennett (Contributor), G. Brown (Contributor), M. Dimmitt (Contributor), H. Luther (Contributor), I. Ramirez (Contributor), R. Terry (Contributor), W. Till (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521430313 | ISBN-13: 978-0521430319 | Publication Date: April 13, 2000

This book presents a synthesis of the extensive information available on the biology of Bromeliacea, a largely neotropical family of about 2700 described species. The author emphasizes reproductive and vegetative structure, related physiology, ecology, and evolution, rather than floristics and taxonomy. Guiding questions include: Why is this family inordinately successful in arboreal (epiphytic) and other typically stressful habitats and why is this family so important to extensive fauna beyond pollinators and frugivores in the forest canopy? Extraordinary and sometimes novel mechanisms that mediate water balance, tolerance for high and low exposures, and mutualisms with ants have received much study and allow interesting comparisons among plant taxa and help explain why members of this taxon exhibit more adaptive and ecological variety than most other families of flowering plants. This volume concentrates on function and underlying mechanisms, thus it will round out a literature that otherwise mostly ignores basic biology in favor of taxonomy and horticulture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Concentrating on function and underlying mechanisms, this book complements the existing bromeliad literature that favors taxonomy and horticulture. Highly recommended for all college and university libraries. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty." Choice

Book Description

The large, mainly neo-tropical plant family Bromeliaceae includes many members that are grown for horticultural interest. There are numerous publications that deal with their cultivation, but to date there has been no volume that tackles the biology of these fascinating plants. This book is the first to synthesise information about bromeliad biology, focusing on reproductive and vegetative structure and related physiology, ecology and evolution to help explain why members of this family exhibit more adaptive and ecological variety than most other families of flowering plants.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 710 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521430313
• ISBN-13: 978-0521430319
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,287,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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