Flower and Fruit

"Flower and Fruit" describes the fascinating role that flowers and fruits play in the evolution of plants. It represents an updated translation of the second edition of the successful standard textbook "Blüte und Frucht" (2nd completely revised edition, 2008) by the same authors. The origin of flowers and their important role in the life cycle of plants are described accompanied by an explanation of basic terms. The genetic approach to floral organ determination is introduced. On the basis of ontogeny, a morphological analysis of the manifold flower structures follows, laying the foundation for exploring further phylogenetic and diverse functional and ecological questions: the hermaphroditism problem, pollination optimization, pollen tube competition, adaptations to the pollinators, seed dispersal patterns, modes of diaspore dispersal and adaptations of plants and their diaspores to the dispersing agents. A very useful fruit classification is included in the book. A comprehensive appendix containing more than 400 floral formulas serves as reference for placing the mentioned taxa in a classification of flowering plants. This book addresses plant scientists, students, lecturers and teachers as well as readers interested in botany, plant reproduction, biodiversity and evolution.