Green Plants Their Origin and Diversity [Paperback]

A standard textbook that provides a concise account the plant kingdom, first published in 2000.This book considers the astonishing diversity of plants, from simple algae to complex flowering plants. Copiously illustrated throughout, it provides a concise account the plant kingdom, with information on topics from cellular structure to life cycles and reproduction. The authors maintain a refreshingly cautious approach in discussions of possible evolutionary relationships and also include information on plants known only as fossils. This new edition has been completely updated to reflect current views on the origin of the major groups of plants as uncovered by the most recent experimental techniques.This book considers the astonishing diversity of plants, from simple algae to complex flowering plants. Copiously illustrated throughout, it provides a concise account the plant kingdom, with information on topics from cellular structure to life cycles and reproduction. The authors maintain a refreshingly cautious approach in discussions of possible evolutionary relationships and also include information on plants known only as fossils. This new edition has been completely updated to reflect current views on the origin of the major groups of plants as uncovered by the most recent experimental techniques.The central theme of Green Plants is the astonishing diversity of forms found in the plant kingdom. The book is arranged according to generally accepted classification schemes, beginning with prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae 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 include newly emerging information on features of plants known only as fossils. This new edition has been completely updated to reflect current views on the origin of the maló6