front cover of Ophrys
Ophrys
The Bee Orchids of Europe
Henrik Ærenlund Pedersen
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2007
"The genus Ophrys, the charismatic bee orchids and their relatives, are one of the most diverse and biologically fascinating groups of plants to be encountered in Europe, particularly the Mediterranean. 

Ophrys – the Bee Orchids of Europe is an easy to use, comprehensive introduction to the plants found in Europe. It can be used as a field guide (with keys, descriptions and numerous colour photographs) and a standard reference (with chapters on structure, biology, evolution and conservation).  The chapter by Richard Manuel gives ample guidelines for cultivation for growers, and is especially helpful for conservationists introducing plants back into the wild. 

The classification is based on a broad species concept, and offers an alternative to the finely split classifications of the genus that prevail in most recent field guides.

Finally, the chapter ‘recommended Ophrys excursions’ is ideal for planning field trips."
 
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front cover of Preliminary List of the Cyperaceae in Northeastern Brazil
Preliminary List of the Cyperaceae in Northeastern Brazil
A. C. Araújo
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2000
Between 2002 and 2004, 1392 Cyperaceae specimens were examined and the information repatriated. This checklist records 191 species in 24 genera, with entries listed alphabetically and sorted by state, collector and number.
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front cover of The Genus Betula
The Genus Betula
A Taxonomic Revision of Birches
Kenneth Ashburner
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2013
The stunning Betula, or birch trees, are notoriously difficult to identify despite being one of the major contributors to the beautiful fall foliage famous in eastern North America. With many wrongly named birches appearing in nurseries and arboreta, this new book, the first ever written on the genus, is an important and much-needed work.

The Genus Betula covers all known birches found in North America, Europe, and Asia, along with keys for accurate identification. Chapters include a look at the breeding, cultivation, conservation, and morphology of all species, including several little-known species wonderful for garden and landscape use. The authors present previously unpublished data on recent molecular work and fossils, providing a cytotaxonomic and phylogeographic revision of the Betula genus. The book is accompanied by exquisite specimens of botanical art, including full-color paintings by Josephine Hague, making it a valuable tool for arboriculturists as well as professional and amateur gardeners.
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front cover of On the Forests of Tropical Asia
On the Forests of Tropical Asia
Lest the Memory Fade
Peter Ashton
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2014
Thousands of years ago, Asia was filled with forests that connected ecosystems from the foot of the Himalayas to the shores of the Pacific. Today, more than half of these woodlands are gone, mostly due to the demands of commerce and industry. And while conservation efforts are underway, more parcels disappear every year. On the Forests of Tropical Asia is a timely record of current forests and a much-needed explanation of the role humans played in the devastation and redevelopment of these forests.
On the Forests of Tropical Asia is the first book to describe the forests of the entire tropical Asian region, from Sind to New Guinea. It opens with chapters on physical geography and geological history and then moves on to address forest and tree structure and dynamics, floristics, and symbiotic organisms, as well as genetics, evolutionary history, species diversity, and human impact. A final chapter covers future policy and practice options for saving what remains. Hundreds of full-color illustrations serve as a lasting testimony to the diverse forests. Ashton combines existing research with his own experience and collaborations, creating a broad, comprehensive understanding of forest variation. By presenting a clear picture of where the forests stand today, he offers a framework for future research, policy, and conservation.
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