The Art of Plant Evolution

"The Art of Plant Evolution showcases the extensive collection of plant paintings amassed by Sherwood and now displayed in rotation in the magnificent new Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The quality and quantity of the paintings takes one's breath away . . . The book, however, isn't just a selection of pretty paintings. . . . In a series of introductory chapters, the authors clearly and simply lay out the evidence on which our understanding of plant evolution is based. They talk about phylogenetics, the role of fossils in understanding patterns of evolution, and the coevolution of plants and animals. . . . The paintings themselves are stunning, a testament to the renaissance of botanical art. Most are contemporary and well illustrate that the art of beautifully depicting plants in a scientifically accurate way is far from dead."