The baobabs: pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia

This is the only comprehensive account of all eight species in the genus Adansonia. It describes the historical background from the late Roman period to the present. It covers the extraordinary variety of economic uses of baobabs, famous trees, folk traditions and mythology, art associations, life cycle, natural history, cultivation, conservation, distribution and ecology, and phytogeography. There are also appendices on vernacular names, gazetteer, economics, nutrition and forest mensuration. This book fills a gap in the botanical literature. It deals with a genus that has fascinated and intrigued scientists and lay persons for centuries. It will appeal to scientists and academics as well astropical horticulturalists, conservationists and general interest readers. Itincludes all the available scientific information about each of the eight species, and contains a good deal of original research on the history, ethnobotany and biology of the genus. First and only fully comprehensive account of all eight species of Adansonia Contains much new information Highly interesting for scientists, academics and laypeople INDICE: Preface. Foreword. Acknowledgements. Colour Plates. 1. Historical Background. 2. Famous Baobabs. 3. Folklore and Tradition. 4. Food and Fodder. 5. Human and Veterinary Medicine. 6. Other Uses of the Baobab. 7. Art and Iconography. 8. Baobab Biology. 9. Natural History. 10. Conservation. 11. Cultivation. 12. Taxonomy. 13. Distribution and Ecology. 14. Phytogeography. 15. Unfinished Business. Appendix 1. Vernacular Names. Appendix 2. Economics. Appendix 3. Nutrition. Appendix 4. Forest Mensuration. References. Taxonomic Indexes. Subject Index. Gazetteer.

• ISBN: 978-1-4020-6430-2
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 448
• Fecha Publicación: 01/02/2008
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés