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Rhododendron
Richard Milne
出版
Reaktion Books
, 2017-09-15
主題
Nature / General
Nature / Plants / Mushrooms
ISBN
1780238819
9781780238814
URL
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=t51NDwAAQBAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api
EBook
SAMPLE
註釋
Has ever a plant inspired such love and such hatred as the rhododendron? Its beauty is inarguable; it can clothe whole hillsides and gardens with a blanket of vibrant color. The rhododendron has a propensity towards sexual infidelity, making it very popular with horticultural breeding programs. And it can also be used as an herbal remedy for an astonishing range of ailments.
But there is a darker side to these gorgeous flowers. Daphne du Maurier used the red rhododendron as a symbol of blood in her best-selling novel
Rebecca
, and numerous Chinese folktales link the plant with tragedy and death. It can poison livestock and intoxicate humans, and its narcotic honey has been used as a weapon of war.
Rhododendron ponticum
has run riot across the British countryside, but the full story of this implacable invader contains many fascinating surprises.
In this beautifully illustrated volume, Richard Milne explores the many ways in which the rhododendron has influenced human societies, relating this to the extraordinary story of the plant’s evolution. Over one thousand species of the plant exist, ranging from rugged trees on Himalayan slopes to rock-hugging alpines, and delicate plants perched on rainforest branches. Milne relays tales of mythical figures, intrepid collectors, and eccentric plant breeders. However much you may think you know about the rhododendron, this charming book will offer something new.
