The diversity of green plants / Peter Robert Bell, Christopher L. F. Woodcock.

Includes index.

This book provides an evolutionary account of the photosynthetic plants, from the algae to the flowering plants, discussing the principal features of their morphology, cell structure and reproduction, and paying particular attention to those plants prominent in current research. The resurgence of interest in palaeobotony is reflected in the frequent references to fossil plants and the clues they give to the understanding of their descendants. In assessing evolutionary relationship account is taken not only of morphology, but also of relevant ultrastructural and metabolic features. Reference is also made to significant experimental work related to growth and form. In this new edition the sections dealing with the blue-green algae and the simple eukaryotic algae have been extensively rewritten and newly illustrated in keeping with the considerable advances in knowledge in this area. The chapters on the lower land plants incorporate new material coming from ultrastructural and palaeobotanical research. Treatment of the seed plants take into account the growing interest in reproductive mechanisms and incompatibility. The discussion of the origin of the flowering plants takes note of the exciting new discoveries regarding the Godwana flora, and the firmer indications now available of how the angiospermous carpel is likely to have arisen. -- Book cover