Green Plants

Book excerpt: The central theme of Green Plants, first published in 2000, is the astonishing diversity of forms found in the plant kingdom, from the simplicity of prokaryotic algae to the myriad complexities of flowering plants. The book is arranged according to generally accepted classification schemes, beginning with algae (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) and moving through mosses, liverworts, fern allies, ferns and gymnosperms to flowering plants. Copiously illustrated throughout, it provides a concise account of all algae and land plants, with information on topics from cellular structure to life cycles and reproduction. The authors maintain a refreshingly cautious approach in discussions of possible phylogenetic relationships and include newly emerging information on features of plants known only as fossils. This edition has been completely updated to reflect current views on the origin of the major groups of plants, providing a resource for students of botany, and for researchers needing a comprehensive reference to the plant kingdom.