Remarkable Plants

A glorious celebration of the beauty, diversity, importance, and sheer wonder of plants, with exquisite illustrations from the collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Plants feed us, clothe us, shelter us, help transport us, and can both intoxicate and cure us. From food staples to exotic and enchanting flowers, plants are essential for the wellbeing of ourselves and our planet.

Helen and William Bynum are expert guides to the intriguing histories and uses of over 80 key plants. Rich in cultural, historical, botanical, and symbolic associations, these plants, from every corner of the globe—both familiar and bizarre—have fascinating stories to tell. Starting with foods that laid the foundations for the development of civilisations, such as wheat, rice, and maize, and those that enliven our diet, such as saffron and spices, sections look at plants that have helped to create our material world, including bamboo and the oak, and crops that have made people rich, such as tea, coffee, and sugar cane. Many plants have been used medicinally and others, for instance, eucalyptus or giant redwoods, have come to epitomise entire landscapes. Some are the objects of obsession, including the tulip, the rose, and the lotus, and some are distinctly strange, such as the world's largest flower, rafflesia, which smells of rotting flesh!

For anyone interested in the extraordinary beauty and diversity of flora around us, this stunning book, illustrated with botanical drawings, paintings, and artworks will be an inspiration and a delight.

Remarkable Plants by Helen Bynum and William Bynum is a testament to the essential role that plants play in our lives, inviting readers to explore the profound impact flora has had on human civilisation and culture.