{"product_id":"atlas-of-poetic-botanyisbn-9780262039124","title":"Atlas of Poetic Botany","description":"\u003cb\u003eBotanical encounters in the rainforest: trees that walk, a leaf as big as an awning, a plant that dances.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis \u003ci\u003eAtlas\u003c\/i\u003e invites the reader to tour the farthest reaches of the rainforest in search of exotic—poetic—plant life. Guided in these botanical encounters by Francis Hallé, who has spent forty years in pursuit of the strange and beautiful plant specimens of the rainforest, the reader discovers a plant with just one solitary, monumental leaf; an invasive hyacinth; a tree that walks; a parasitic laurel; and a dancing vine. Further explorations reveal the \u003ci\u003eRafflesia arnoldii\u003c\/i\u003e, the biggest flower in the world, with a crown of stamens and pistils the color of rotten meat that exude the stench of garbage in the summer sun; underground trees with leaves that form a carpet on the ground above them; and the biggest tree in Africa, which can reach seventy meters (more tha 200 feet) in height, with a four-meter (about 13 feet) diameter. Hallé's drawings, many in color, provide a witty accompaniment. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike any good tour guide, Hallé tells stories to illustrate his facts. Readers learn about, among other things, Queen Victoria's rubber tree; legends of the \u003ci\u003emoabi \u003c\/i\u003etree (for example, that powder from the bark confers invisibility); a flower that absorbs energy from a tree; plants that imitate other plants; a tree that rains; and a fern that clones itself. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHallé's drawings represent an investment in time that returns a dividend of wonder more satisfying than the ephemeral thrill afforded by the photograph. The \u003ci\u003eAtlas of Poetic Botany\u003c\/i\u003e allows us to be amazed by forms of life that seem as strange as visitors from another planet.\u003c\/p\u003ebeautifully designed—\u003ci\u003eLiterary Review\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe author deserves that his words and drawings gain a large audience.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eMark Avery's Blog\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eHallé presents his compelling descriptions and memories of some of the more remarkable ones, accompanied by his lovely sketches – far more effective than photographs, he believes, in capturing the reflection and “dialogue” necessary when “one stands face to face with an alien.\"\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eTimes Higher Education\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eHallé sets playful stylized drawings explicating the strange behaviours, adaptations and coevolution of each species. It's a vegetal parade that reminds us, yet again, how some chunks of Earth's biosphere still smack of terra incognita.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNature\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts illustrations, drawn by the author, are as fascinating as the text....Hallé's passion for tropical botany is evident. He is fascinated not just by the trees, but by all the life connected to them....Reminded me once again of how important art is to botanical science.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eHerbarium World\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn affectionate look at the options and possibilities plants have developed to adapt and thrive in their jungle world. A fascinating look at the weird and wonderful variations in the plants of the equatorial tropical rain forests.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBelleWood Gardens News\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis delightful descriptions of the plants — which are written in an entertaining style based on his observations rather than in academic botanical terms — make the book a page-turner.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eMother Nature Network\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eExotic plant life and botanical adaptations that will delight and enthrall any plant nerds...\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eWashington Gardener\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eReading this book, you'll feel as if you've stepped through the wardrobe door into Narnia itself: a landscape with flowers that look like rotten meat and smell like garbage; underground trees; ant gardens where “such symbiosis represents a pinnacle of coevolution between plants and animals.” In Hallé's reflections, the plants in this wondrous parade of plants appear at first blush to be plants of aberration. However, nature is much more purposeful than that: the landscape has adapted to them, just as they have adapted to the landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eOrion\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis unconventional but accessible book will appeal to general readers with an interest in botany. Recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Atlas of Poetic Botany\u003c\/i\u003e is a book that, like botany itself, invites quiet, meandering contemplation, the appreciation of beauty and, as the pages turn, a sense of wonder.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eCosmos Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eA delightful read, with charming illustrations that exude the author's passion for botany and discovery.... A lovely addition to any bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNature Plant\u003c\/i\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Atlas of Poetic Botany is a charming book about tropical plants that most of us will never see in their natural surroundings. It's therefore something of an armchair's botanist's delight, with easy-to-read text and wonderful illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBotany One\u003c\/i\u003e—Francis Hallé is a botanist and biologist who specializes in tropical rainforests and tree architecture. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Montpellier.","brand":"The MIT Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303187239141,"sku":"NP9780262039124","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780262039123_f07168c6-d488-476b-aee0-8a05a27a6f85.jpg?v=1730753380","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/atlas-of-poetic-botanyisbn-9780262039124","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}