Evolutionary trends in flowering plants

Explores the evolutionary trends in each major flowering plant part-vegetative organs, flowers and inflorescences, fruits, and seeds. Examines microsporangia, microspores, and pollen grains as well as megasporangia, mega-spores, and the ovule, and covers evolutionary trends in pollination, fertilization, and triple fusion. Annotation Published: May 2017.

Takhtajan, one of the foremost authorities on flowering plant evolution, has brought together from the literature and his own studies interpretations of the origin and evolution of various vegetative and reproductive parts of flowering plants. Starting with growth habit, he continues through leaf and stem structure, including the origin of vessels, sieve tubes, and rays, to flowers. After tracing the possible origin of the flower, he discusses in detail the sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels, accounting for their variations in number of parts, fusion, position, and structure. The evolution and origin of the micro- and megagametophytes and the development of triple fusion are considered. The book ends with the developmental sequence of the fruit and seed types. Each chapter has its own extensive bibliography. Takhtajan has produced a book that will be essential in the library of any college where plant evolution is considered.-C. T. Mason Jr., University of Arizona--Choice Reviews.