This book provides a fascinating account of the accumulated knowledge of the mechanisms by which plants regulate their patterning. This is an exciting subject based on a novel endeavor, not least due to the rapid progress made in recent years in the diverse fields of genetics, molecular biology, microscopy, inter- and intracellular signaling, as well as our intimate knowledge of model plants (such as Arabidopsis).

This book is unique in that it provides, in one volume, comprehensive information on all the main organs of flowering plants. There is no other book similar to this, written by a single author, that has been published in the last 10 years.

The book contains updated information on the differentiation of the plant organs with respect to structure and molecular genetics, and the methodologies employed to investigate plant patterning are described in detail. Extensively illustrated with numerous figures, many of which are in color, the book will appeal to three main groups of readers: novices interested in plant patterning; plant biologists requiring a comprehensive understanding of differentiation in flowering plants; and graduate students in advanced courses.

Contents:

• Basic Issues Relevant to Plant Patterning:
• Plant Hormones
• The Cytoskeleton of Plant Cells
• Phylogeny, Taxonomy and Gene Duplication
• Regulation of Gene Expression
• Systems Biology
• The Patterning of Plant Components:
• Patterning of the Angiosperm Embryo
• The Shoot Apical Meristem
• Patterning of Roots
• The Vegetative Shoot and Transition to Flowering
• The Angiosperm Leaf
• Patterning of Flowers and Their Members

“This book takes a new look as to how plants grow … In this outstanding compilation of enlightened, insightful and critical thinking the author steers the reader skilfully through the hormonal, protein and RNA signalling involved … The detailed referencing and the clear and colourful illustrations greatly help the reader to understand the ever increasing complexity of the structural and molecular genetic aspects of plant growth and development.”

“The contents cover many aspects, it is well illustrated and provides excellent integration of Morphology, Anatomy, Taxonomy, Physiology and Molecular Biology … Plant biologists in general, academics and students should find this book of great benefit. It is essential that it should be on the shelves of university and research institution libraries.”