Herbarium: The Quest to Preserve and Classify the World's Plants (Hardcover)

For nearly six centuries, scientists have been document ing the plants and fungi of the world through herbaria. The wealth of specimens available today, carefully pre served through the centuries, is a unique source of data that not only helps scientists understand how the world's vegetation has changed over time, but also allows them to predict how it will change in the future. In Herbarium, Barbara M. Thiers shares the fascinat ing history of herbaria and the important role they play in our modern world. Herbarium is heavily illustrated with photographs and unique historical material from the collection at the New York Botanical Garden. It is a must-read for passionate plant fans and conservationists.