Plant Biology Books

Books on this list present complex concepts in plant biology for readers without a background in biology but manage to do so in a way that is correct and interesting enough to keep a plant biologist happily engaged. While some of the books in this section can be read as memoirs, they use story primarily to convey information. As for all of my lists, I'd be happy to hear about your suggested additions.

Cary Fowler & Pat Mooney: Shattering - Food, Politics, and the Loss of Genetic Diversity

This book sounded the alarm on the dramatic loss of crop genetic diversity and the resulting threat to the global food supply. A clear, engaging description of how we came to have crops in the first place and how agricultural politics threaten their (and hence our) survival. My favorite chapter contains a dramatic description of Russian scientists during WWII risked their lives to protect crop genetic resources.

Francis Hallé: In Praise of Plants

From asking seemingly simple questions such as "Are plants alive?" all the way through "Are plants persons?" Hallé whisks the reader through plant form, function, and ecology in the most engaging manner. "I aspire to show that plants are not inferior to animals," he writes, putting his finger smack on the sore spot of any teacher of introductory plant biology, - and thanks to his quirky style that proof in point, though often deep, is never boring.

Sara Stein: My Weeds - A Gardener's Botany

Stein chronicles how her struggles against weeds leads her to developing an understanding and appreciation of the biology of wild plants. This is not a manual on how to use weeds or kill weeds, but it is a series of personal essays moving from vividly described experiences and frustrations in the garden to conveying complex biological concepts in convincing imagery and everyday language.

Sara Stein: Noah's Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards

This book perches happily somewhere between memoir, nature essay, science writing, and musings upon garden design. Whatever you want to call the mix: it works! Stein tells a riveting story of learning about plant ecology and gardening with native plants. The science is clear and explained in beautiful prose, all of it careening along in a story of learning to live well on a particular piece of land. If you are at all curious about the difference between a garden and a natural plant assembly, and perhaps how to marry the two where you live, this is a great place to start.

Sara Stein: Planting Noah's Garden

Here, Stein melds more tales of garden design and execution with practical advice for planning your own project. She teaches you how to go about taking an inventory of the plants you have, how to think about plant assemblages that will work on your land, where to find those plants, how to raise wild species from seed, how to put transplants into the ground, and how to make sure your gardens grow into their full potential.

Favorite Plant Biology Introductory Textbooks:

Levetin and McMahon: Plants and Society

My favorite textbook for teaching non-majors' plant biology. Invariably, my students report that they find this text self-explanatory and stimulating.

Raven: Biology of Plants

More in-depth and academic in nature, but still very accessible for the non-specialist.