Sunflowers

Sunflowers are the most recognizable members of the world's largest family of plants, Asteraceae, which includes lettuce, chrysanthemums, asters, dahlias and weeds. The sunflower family is found in almost all habitats, from the driest deserts through grasslands and the tallest mountains to urban wastelands, and includes more than 32,000 species. The family has become a part of our literary and visual cultures, inspiring artists such as Vincent van Gogh, and is used by advertisers to promote countless products. It produces hugely popular and economically valuable ornamental flowers, as well as familiar flavourings such as tarragon and artemisia, and sunflowers are also used in the production of antimalarial drugs, artificial sweeteners, insecticides and fish poisons.Sunflowers unravels the interplay between the biology of sunflowers and human cultures over the last 6,000 years. It explores our fascination with the family and how our uses of the plants have changed over millennia. Illustrated with many rarely seen images of the sunflower family, this beautiful volume will appeal to those looking for a new, surprising perspective on familiar flowers.

"Asteraceae encompasses marigolds, chrysanthemums, daisies, lettuce, thistles, and dozens of other familiar plants. The book is a fascinating exploration of the family's biology, ecology, and cultural significance. . . . Open the book at any page and you will discover something new, and often surprising, about the sunflower family."-- "Garden Answers", "With approximately 32,000 species it's one of the biggest assemblages of flowering plants on the planet, and is therefore a family worthy of celebration. And celebrate that amazing family is what Harris does in this remarkable book. . . . A fine read, and an enjoyable one. . . . Sunflowers is certainly informative and educational."-- "Botany One"

Stephen A. Harris has been Druce Curator of Oxford University Herbaria since 1995 and a University Research Lecturer since 2002. His books include The Magnificent Flora Graeca (2007), Grasses (Reaktion, 2014) and What Have Plants Ever Done for Us? (2015).