David F Cutler is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a Visiting Professor in Botany, Reading University, and an Honorary Lecturer, Imperial College, London University. He was formerly Deputy Keeper and Head of the Plant Anatomy Section, Jodrell Laboratory, RBG Kew. He is currently President of the Linnean Society of London. His research is in pure and applied plant anatomy, including systematic anatomy of angiosperms, functional aspects of plant structure and identification of fragmentary plant material.Ted Botha is Professor of Botany and was Head of Department at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. His research into plant structure and function is recognized internationally as well as locally, by the National Research Foundation. He serves on the organizing committees for several international plant structure–function groups, and is a former President of The South African Association of Botany. His contribution to teaching at Rhodes University was recognized through the award of the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2005. Dennis Wm Stevenson is currently Rupert Barneby Curator and Vice President for Botanical Science at the New York Botanical Garden. He also serves as editor of the journal Botanical Review, has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, and edited 11 books ranging from horticulture to paleobotany to genomics. He holds adjunct faculty positions at City University of New York, Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, and Yale University.

“This book would be an excellent resource for undergraduate or graduate courses in plant anatomy and plant biology, and a valuable reference for researchers and postgraduates. Summing Up: Highly recommended.” (CHOICE, February 2009) Plant anatomy is a foundational and ever-advancing topic. This book by plant anatomy experts Cutler (honorary research fellow, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and president, Linnean Society of London, UK), Botha (Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown, South Africa), and Stevenson (curator and vice president for botanical science, New York Botanical Garden) give an up-to-date and concise treatment of the subject. The work covers classic subjects including morphology, tissue systems, meristems, transport systems, organs, and reproductive structures. Additional chapters address adaptive and applied aspects of plant anatomy, as well as practical microtechnique. A glossary with pictures provides a quick reference guide for terms...This book would be an excellent resource for undergraduate or graduate courses in plant anatomy and plant biology, and a valuable reference for researchers and postgraduates. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals. –R. B. Pratt, California State University–Bakersfield (Choice, February 2009)"The book is very attractively priced, benefits from many excellent colour images ... Plant anatomy: an applied approach deserves to do well!" (Annals of Botany)

• Preface ixAcknowledgements xIntroduction 11 Morphology and tissue systems: the integrated plant body 4General background 4Adaptation to aerial growth 6The systems in detail 92 Meristems and meristematic growth 14Introduction 14Apical meristems 15Lateral meristems 20Practical applications and uses of meristems 213 The structure of xylem and phloem 28Introduction 28The xylem 28The phloem 41Structure–function relationships in primary and secondary vascular tissues 454 The root 48Introduction 48Epidermis 48Cortex 49Endodermis 51Pericycle 52Vascular system 53Lateral roots 545 The stem 57Introduction 57Stems – cross-sectional appearance 59Transport phloem within the axial system 64Transport tissue – structural components 66Concluding remarks 686 The leaf 70Introduction 70Leaf structure 74The epidermis 76The mesophyll 93Strengthening systems in the leaf 102The vascular system 103The phloem 108Specifi cs of the monocotyledonous foliage leaf 111Secretory structures 118Concluding remarks 1197 Flowers, fruits and seeds 121Introduction 121Vascularization 121SEM studies 123Palynology 124Embryology 127Seed and fruit histology 1278 Adaptive features 135Introduction 135Mechanical adaptations 135Adaptations to habitat 137Xerophytes 139Mesophytes 147Hydrophytes 150Applications 1529 Economic aspects of applied plant anatomy 154Introduction 154Identifi cation and classifi cation 154Taxonomic application 155Medicinal plants 158Food adulterants and contaminants 159Animal feeding habits 162Wood: present day 163Wood: in archaeology 165Forensic applications 168Palaeobotany 169Postscript 16910 Practical microtechnique 170Safety considerations 170Materials and methods 170Microscopy 191Appendix 1 Selected study material 195Appendix 2 Practical exercises 203Glossary 242Cited references 280Further reading 282Index 287