Britain's Rare Flowers - Softcover

Peter Marren

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0713671629 ISBN 13: 9780713671629

Publisher: A&C Black, 2005

Synopsis

This is a new paperback edition of an acclaimed and beautiful Poyser title on the rare flowers of Britain. The book looks at the evolution of individual species and of plant communties, the threats (natural and anthropogenic) that have caused declines and extinctions in some plant populations, and the various conservation efforts which have been made to protect them and to encourage their numbers to grow. Written in a lively and jargon-free style, with numerous examples and anecdotes, and illustrated throughout with gorgeous colour photographs, this lovely, engaging and accessible book is a must for all wild flower enthusiasts.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Britain's rare flowers and ferns are in the spotlight as never before. Many are the subject of recovery plans designed to prevent them becoming any rarer and, if possible, to build up their numbers. A growing number are protected by law. And species like Starfruit, Plymouth Pear and Lady's Slipper have become well known outside the botanical world as emblems of endangered wildlife.
Despite all this attention, there is still no easily accessible account of the conservation of rare native flowers and of why they are rare in the first place. This book sets out to redress this gap with a personal study of rare plants and their world.
Peter Marren describes their discovery and the special places that are rich in such plants. He looks at species which have died out completely, others which became naturalised long ago and the surprising (and, in some cases, spectacular) discovery of new native plants in recent years. Conservation projects past and present are examined, and comments made on whether or not they have been successful. Marren also reviews their place in our own world, through the eyes of field botanists, writers, artists and even cooks.
It is all too easy, but to some extent misleading, to portray rare flowers and ferns as victims of a careless, materialistic society. Many have indeed become casualties of intensive farming or development, but on closer inspection it is the ability of our flora to survive which is most impressive. Several plants have come back from the dead during the past half-century, and many have evolved strategies that enable them to tide over unfavourable periods. A narrow focus on conservation does less than full justice to these remarkable plants.
In that belief, Plantlife and English Nature have sponsored the writing of this book, which, we believe, makes a valuable contribution to the literature of natural history as well as to the wider appreciation of the British flora.

About the Author:

Peter Marren has worked in conservation all his life. He is now a freelance writer and consultant. His other books include England's National Nature Reserves and The New Naturalists.

About this edition

• Publisher: A&C Black
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0713671629
• ISBN 13: 9780713671629
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 337