In the name of plants From Attenborough to Washington, the people behind plant names

Review by Choice Review

Plants and people are intertwined in complex ways, as Knapp (Natural History Museum, London) explores in passionate detail. Diversity and environmental conservation inform the 30 alphabetically arranged entries, each one revealing the namesake for a particular plant genus. The diversity of individuals represented is impressive, ranging from presidents to prisoners and including celebrities, linguists, royalty, slaves, and of course scientists. Moreover, the plants themselves are equally diverse, running from ferns to mosses but also including grasses and parasites as well as conifers--and of course plants with beautiful flowers. Many of the plants represented are endemic to tropical hot spots of biodiversity, but many others are found in deserts or alpine sites. The narratives explain how artists, scientists, and explorers have given noteworthy names to plants from memorable places to honor individuals with special relationships to them. Many high-quality illustrations are featured, including drawings, images of pressed specimens, and photographs of field sites where the plants discussed were collected. Each entry emphasizes the particular impact of its story in the course of scientific development. The prose is awkward in places, and it is no surprise that scientists sometimes make unscientific decisions. Scientists are people, after all. Readers are advised to focus on the big picture and enjoy this delightful learning experience. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --Ted Johnson, Spring Valley Public Library

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

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Review by Booklist Review

The names of plant species are often misunderstood. Knapp, a botanist who has written extensively about the natural world (Extraordinary Orchids, 2020), uses her expertise to unravel the mystery surrounding plant naming, and here shares 30 thoroughly researched plant histories that connect each one to its namesake. Flush with little-known facts and descriptive writing, Knapp makes botany fascinating as she reveals again and again that plant names hold more history and impact than most of us realize. Each paired with an intricate vintage illustration, Knapp's essays describe plants named after Lady Gaga, Benjamin Franklin, and renowned botanist illustrator Agnes Chase. In this book, which is suitable for plant enthusiasts and newcomers to botany alike, Knapp's approachable and authoritative prose is a shining star.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Library Journal Review

Most who work with plants, whether pros or amateurs, know of Carl Linnaeus, the 18th-century Swedish botanist who developed the scheme for naming plants and managed to name nearly everything that was then known. Strict genus and species rules remain, while the number of known plants increases. Botanist Knapp (Flora) has been selective, choosing 30 plants and their namesakes in this lovely and informative volume that highlights plants that were named for people. Some were botanical adventurers and discoverers: see the genuses Bougainvillea and Franklinia, named after Louis de Bougainville and Ben Franklin, respectively. Even Lady Gaga has 19 different species of fern that bear her name, Gaga. Each lengthy, well-written entry gives an extensive description of the plant, its discovery, environment, and the person honored with the name. The illustrations are a combination of historic botanical drawings, photos, and portraits. VERDICT A great botanical reference that's also entertaining enough for general audiences to dip into or read cover to cover. Appropriate for academic and large public libraries.--Danise Hoover

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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