A poet, ethno-botanist and amateur chemist, he’s the best writer on drugs to come along since the late Terence McKenna.”—Richard Gehr, The Village Voice“There is genius to Pendell’s approach, an erudite playfulness and poetic virtuosity unmatched by anyone writing about plants and drugs today. Pendell’s books present a Pandora’s box, and once opened, the steadfast and curious reader will soon find herself on the path.”—Sarah Fox, Rain TaxiContemporary alchemist Dale Pendell completes his poetic study of botany, chemistry, spirituality, psychology and history in a volume covering the composition and uses of visionary plants. Chapters including “Phantastica,” “Hypnotica” and “Telephorica” explore the hallucinogenic plants, the bringers of sleep and the bearers of distance. Pharmacognosis is the branch of pharmacology that deals with herbs and unprepared medicines in their natural state, those whose cure is held in a deeper wisdom. Pharmako/Gnosis weaves together ancient shamanic rites, historic cultural lore and the contemporary use of plant poisons.Dale Pendell is a poet, software engineer and longtime student of ethnobotany. His poetry has appeared in many journals, and he was the founding editor of KUKSU: Journal of Backcountry Writing . In addition, his work appeared in Entheogens and the Future of Religion , edited by Robert Forte. He has led workshops on ethnobotany and ethnopoetics for the Naropa Institute and the Botanical Preservation Corps. He lives in the Sierra foothills in California.

    This book presents novel scientific information in a way that beginning hobbyists can use it to set up and maintain planted freshwater aquariaAbout The Author:The author is a medical research technician, former technical advisor for the Aquatic Gardeners Association, and a long time aquarium hobbyist.

    An extensive introduction explains the botany and plant physiology behind the science of propagation, and the encyclopedic A - Z section presents all the appropriate techniques for more than 1,000 different kinds of plants. Specialized groups such as orchids, ferns, palms, grasses, and roses are given extensive feature treatment.

    Each book contains profiles of specific herbs, cautions, contraindications, and easy-to-make recipes to relieve common ailments.

    Veteran science writer Jon Luoma uncovers the inner workings of an ancient forest, from the microscopic bugs in the soil to the giant trees.

    An acorn drops from a great oak and grows. Animals nibble at it, a fire threatens it, but overcoming many challenges it eventually towers high in the forest, observing the changing human scene below. Eventually its energy passes into many other life forms. An oak tree can teach much about seeds and seasons and cycles—but it also can make us appreciate the challenges it must overcome.Great for parents, teachers, or gift givers looking for a:graduation giftgift for the new school yearbook to provide inspirationthe perfect "planting seeds for kids" book to explore this summer!The ideal gardening book for kids ages 4-8

    The author has combined her triple skills as a physician, farmer and herbal medicine maker into this easy to use and unique book. You will learn how to make herbal medicines as well as cure common health conditions with 107 different herbs and 102 different compound formulas. This book is broad enough in scope that it contains within it enough material for 3 books.

    Filled with concise descriptions and stunning photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States belongs in the home of every resident of the Southeast and in the suitcase or backpack of every visitor.This compact volume contains: An easy-to-use field guide for identifying 1,000 of the state's wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, mosses, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, butterflies, mammals, and much more;A complete overview of the southeastern region's natural history, covering geology, wildlife habitats, ecology, fossils, rocks and minerals, clouds and weather patterns, and the night sky;An extensive sampling of the area's best parks, preserves, hiking trails, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others.The guide is packed with visual information -- the 1,500 full-color images include more than 1,300 photographs, 13 maps, and 16 night-sky charts, as well as more than 100 drawings explaining everything from geological processes to the basic features of different plants and animals.For everyone who lives or spends time in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee, there can be no finer guide to the area's natural surroundings than the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States."

    From the “jaws” of the Venus flytrap to the pretty sundew plant whose delicate tentacles entrap its prey, the unique anatomy and behaviors of meat-eating plants are detailed with clear, engaging text and art.From the Trade Paperback edition.

    A groundbreaking reference for both plant enthusiasts and gardeners, Plant is a new-generation encyclopedia designed to provide environmental and horticultural information for anyone concerned about the planet's biodiversity.

    Richly illustrated, it serves as both a natural history and field guide. Each species' narrative is accompanied by a full-page color botanical illustration, photographs from the wild, detailed indentification information, and a range map. California is home to more than 50 native species of pines, first, spruces, junipers hemlocks, and other conifers. "Conifers of California" covers the state's world-renowned cone-bearers, such as coast redwood, giant sequoia, and bristlecone pines, and also features its many other rare and unusual conifers, such as Torrey pine, Santa Lucia fir, and Brewer spruce.

    Judith Lowry's voice and experiences make a rich matrix for essays that include discussions of wildflower gardening, the ecology of native grasses, wildland seed-collecting, principles of natural design, and plant/animal interactions. Though this book is based on California gardens, readers from all parts of the country will be inspired and informed by these examples of gardening to include "the larger garden beyond the fence."Gardening with a Wild Heart promises to be a classic for lovers of nature writing, gardeners, bioregionalists, and students and professionals in horticulture, landscape design, and ecological restoration.

    In transcribing the 150-year-old manuscript’s cryptic handwriting and complex notations, Thoreau specialist Bradley Dean has performed a "heroic feat of decipherment" (Booklist) to bring this great work to light. Readers will discover "passages that reach for the transcendentalist ideal of writing new scriptures, yet grounding this Bible in a vision of practical ecology" (Boston). Beautifully illustrated throughout with line drawings of the natural life Thoreau considers on his walks, Wild Fruits is "well worth any nature lover’s attention" (Christian Science Monitor).

    The book examines the two principal herbal traditions of Classical descent: the Dioscorides manuscripts in Greek, Arabic, and Latin and the Latin Herbarius of Apulcius Platonicus. It shows how, from 1300, the illustrations of the de herbis Traetatus treatises, the first of which was British Library, MS. Egerton 747, showed a new observation of nature, paving the way in the fifteenth century for French Livres des Simples and the magnificent plant paintings of later Italian Herbals. Medieval Herbals provides one of the few syntheses in English of existing research on the subject and also addresses issues of dating, location, production and ownership of the individual codices. Minta Collins demonstrates how many herbals were not only codices for medical scholars but expensively illustrated books for bibliophiles, of equal interest to students of manuscripts, to historians of medicine and botany, and to art historians.

    Evolving over thousands of years, they thrive and flourish in their regional habitats. 100 Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardeners is the ultimate guide for introducing these beautiful and robust plants into your own garden. Whatever your conditions -- sunny, shady, or in-between -- and whatever your style -- formal, informal, or a mix -- there are native plants to help you achieve your gardening goals.

    The Explorer's Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials presents the most fascinating perennials found during Hinkley's treks around the globe, describes the assets each plant brings to the garden, and explains how it is best cultivated and propagated.Illustrated with Hinkley's own splendid photographs as well as those of Lynne Harrison, this new paperback edition includes a new preface by the author and a completely updated list of sources for plant material.

    “More than an adornment for the coffee table.”—Washington Post. “One of my favorites....All the trees are awe-inspiring.”—Philadelphia Inquirer.

    Shows readers how to select, plant, and care for trees.Tips on choosing trees that enhance property value.Makes caring for trees understandable and easy.Extensive information on care and pruning.Detailed growing instructions for more than 125 varieties.Attractive book design makes information easy to fast and retrieve.

    Hard to Find book

    Includes 125 illustrations and 100 color photos. A must-have for Midwestern gardeners.

    Homeowners, property owners, professional wildlife managers, landscape architects, and garden designers will all find it invaluable.A wealth of information is provided on:--Wildlife habitat and landscaping basics--Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects likely to be attracted to your property--Specialty gardens for butterflies and hummingbirds--How to plant and maintain woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and waterways--Feeders and nest boxes--Ponds and birdbaths--Potential problems--Wildlife viewing tips--Extensive plant lists

    "Everything you need to know about identifying, buying and growing cacti and succulents. Full photographic directory of over 400 varities. Planting, propogation, care and maintenance." (Quoted from front cover.)

    This book offers an intriguing introduction to Washington's vast arid lands dominated by fragrant sagebrush, lush coulees, and unique desert creatures and plants.

    Packed with detailed color photographs, the book is a must-have for forest landowners, game and wildlife managers, biologists, outdoors enthusiasts, students--anyone with an interest in the intricate and often unexpected interrelationships between the flora and fauna of our region’s forests.Features:Descriptions of native and nonnative (exotic or invasive) plants, including 330 species of forbs, in 180 genera: grasses, sedges, and rushes; woody vines and semiwoody plants; shrubs; palms and yucca; cane; cactus; ferns; and ground lichen650 color photosMap of physiographic provinces56 simple black-and-white drawings of flower parts, flower types, and inflorescences, leaf arrangements, leaf divisions, shapes, and margins, and parts of a grass plantGlossaryIndex of genera by family, index by wildlife species, and index of scientific and common names

    It identifies more than 150 noxious weeds and another 100 related species. Colour photographs show the weeds at five critical stages. Information on weed legislation by province and state is also listed.

    The concise handbook is a ready reference to the 420 most common species that can be observed along the west coast. The shorelines of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California are so generously populated with marine animals and plants that divers, beachcombers, whale watchers, naturalists and biologists from all over the world come here to enjoy the natural wonders of the coastline. The gentle climate and warm ocean current of this region support thousands of plants and animals, from the microscopic planktonic algae that bloom and colour the water, to the smallest snails on the seashore, to the blue whale, the largest animal on earth. The Pacific Northwest is home to the world's tallest anemone (plumose anemone) and many of the world's largest species, including the giant Pacific octopus, barnacle (giant barnacle) sea slug (orange peel nudibranch), intertidal clam (geoduck) and sea urchin (red sea urchin).Whelks to Whales is designed for everyone from the expert biologist to the weekend naturalist and is a ready reference to the 420 most common species, the fascinating local sponges, jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, barnacles, clams, snails, seals, fish, whales, sea algae and hundreds of other living things that can be observed and identified without being disturbed.This accessible full-colour field guide is arranged for quick identification with colour-coded sections, photographs of all species - most pictured in their natural habitat - and comprehensive but concise information on size, range, habitat and facts of interest about each species. With a glossary, checklist, reading list and full index included, Whelks to Whales is the only book you will need to identify and learn about the diverse marine life you are likely to encounter while exploring the waters and seashores of the Pacific Northwest.

    Create a natural first aid kit.

    It contains over 5,500 clear and concise entries on all aspects of botany, including biochemistry, plant physiology, cytology, ecology, genetics, evolution, biogeography, molecular biology, and the earth sciences. Classification is comprehensive and wide-ranging: approximately one-third of the entries are devoted to taxonomic groups, from bacteria and fungi to the main groups of flowering and non-flowering plants. Helpful cross-referencing throughout makes it a breeze to find exactly what you are looking for. This edition also includes biographical notes supplying context on important individuals in the field. This fascinating dictionary is invaluable to students, amateur botanists and naturalists, and essential reading for anyone with an interest in plants and their environments. It will also provide a useful reference tool for students and others with interests in agriculture, horticulture, physical geography, and related fields.

    Natural scientist, philosopher, alchemist, with a deep distrust of orthodoxy and rational thought, he intermixed Christian theology with the Qabalah, believing that magic reveals the invisible influences behind things, bringing heavenly forces down to earth.

    "The A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions helps you learn which drugs can deplete your body's essential nutrients, which supplements can help your prescriptions work better, or reduce drug side effects; and which herbs and drugs should never be taken together.

    A must-have guide for gardeners with little space.