All Flesh Is Grass von Joseph (Hrsg.) Seckbach

This new book takes us through a journey from early life to modern agriculture. The thirty eight authors present current studies on the interrelation of plants-animals. This topic has always fascinated man, as evidenced even by the first chapters of Genesis. The world of aqueous and terrestrial fauna appeared on early earth only after the flora covered the areas with the green pigmentation. Almost all life depends upon sunlight via the photosynthesis of the botanical world. We read abut the harnessing of bee pollination of crops to make it an essential component of modern agriculture endeavor. Some plants seduce insects for pollination by their appearance (e.g., disguised orchids entice visitors); there is the production of sweet nectar as a bribe in flowers to attract bees, butterflies, and honey-sucking birds. A particular outstanding phenomena are the carnivorous plants that have developed trapping and digesting systems of insects and higher animals.

From the reviews:

"All flesh is grass is a fascinating tome, and should appeal to anyone who has an interest in the broader aspects of botany, particularly the interconnections between plants ? and other biota. It is abundantly illustrated throughout, with many colour images. ? could be enjoyed by readers at all levels from first undergraduate. ? more direct appeal to the teachers of those (under)graduates ? . co-operative plant-animal associations tackled in this book provides the book's real take-home message: species that work together, last longer." (Nigel Chaffey, Annals of Botany, Vol. 108 (3), September, 2011)