num_pages: 223
description:  The fascinating stories of the plants that changed civilizations. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History is a beautifully presented guide to the plants that have had the greatest impact on human civilization. Entries feature a description of the plant its botanical name its native range and its primary functions -- edible medicinal commercial or practical. Concise text is highlighted by elegant botanical drawings paintings and photographs as well as insightful quotes.Many of the plants are well known such as rice tea cotton rubber wheat sugarcane tobacco wine grapes and corn. However there are also many whose stories are less known. These history-changing plants include:Agave used to make sisal poison arrows bullets tequila and surgical threadPineapple which influenced the construction of greenhouses and conservatoriesHemp used for hangman's rope sustainable plastics the Declaration of Independence and Levi's jeansCoconut used for coir fiber soap margarine cream sterile IV drips and coagulantsEucalyptus used in mouthwash diuretics vitamins honey underwear and fire-resistant uniformsSweet pea which Gregor Mendel used in his research on genetic heredityWhite mulberry used to make silkEnglish oak used for fire-resistant structures dyes leather tanning charcoal casks and shipsWhite willow used in the manufacture of aspirin cricket bats hot-air balloon baskets and coffins This attractive reference provides an innovative perspective on both botanical and human history.
language: English
title: Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of History
publisher: Firefly Books