Plants and fungi

Comprehensive, accessible, and lavishly illustrated, this is an essential and timely guide to the world's key plant and fungus species. Written by specialist experts, this is a botanical exploration of the world's most fascinating species, many of which are also highly valued for their ecological, economic, and cultural importance. Covering all of the main groups - from the fleeting wildflowers that bring life to deserts to the towering giant trees of tropical rainforest giants, and from the lichens of the Arctic to the cultivated seaweeds of South East Asia - the book reveals the spectacular diversity of plants and fungi, the ecosystems they support, their symbiotic relationships with animals, and each other, and their use in everything from food to clothing and medicine.