This unique volume presents a developmental view of the flower and its organs in contrast with more traditional treatments of phylogeny and comparative morphology. Individual chapters on the perianth, androecium, and gynoecium explore the flower's four organ types from the perspectives of organ initiation from the floral meristem, and organ growth, differentiation, maturation and function. The many illustrations highlight potential candidates as "model systems." Also explored are the developmental aspects of inflorescences and the flowers of grasses, highlighting flower and inflorescence development in Zea, Triticum, Orqza, and Lolium. The book concludes with a discussion of the partial processes and components of flower development which might be considered as sources of morphogenetic and developmental control. In addition to the critical genetic components, the roles of plant growth substances, organelles, and microtubules and microfibrilar components of wall placement are reviewed. The author persuasively argues that flower development is best interpreted as a multidimensional, interactive process in which many potential points for control of individual minor reactions can be identified. This book is a must for researchers and students in botany, plant molecular biology, and plant physiology.

Richard I. Greyson's profile page

Richard I. Greyson, Professor of Plant Sciences, University of Western Ontario.

"This is a worthy contribution to the literature. Although it is concerned with mechanisms and control of floral development it acknowledges adequately other aspects of the study of floral morphology and development."--Canadian Botanical Association

"A well-written book that draws information from many very divergent publications, and an excellent first book in this still-developing area."--Choice

"I am grateful to R. Greyson for his monumental efforts in compiling the literature together from so many different fields that together can be called flower development. . .there is no other book like this. . .the time is ripe for such a book as R. Greyson's which combines the older literature of morphogenesis with the recent literature on molecular genetics to provide a resource for all of us who study flower development regardless of our persuasions." --Flowering Newsletter

"This is an attractive and fairly slim book. . .should provide a useful introduction, for advanced students trained in disciplines other than botany, to the vast and still rapidly increasing literature on the many old and fascinating problems posed by the angiosperm flower." --Plant Science Bulletin

"This is an attractive and fairly slim book . . . should provide a useful introduction, for advanced students trained in disciplines other than botany, to the vast and still rapidly increasing literature on the many old and fascinating problems posed by the angiosperm flower." --Plant Science Bulletin

"I am grateful to R. Greyson for his monumental efforts in compiling the literature together from so many dofferent fields that together can be called flower development. . .there is no other book like this. . .the time is ripe for such a book as R. Greyson's which combines the older literature of morphogenesis with the recent literature on molecular genetics to provide a resource for all of us who study flower development regardless of our persuasions." --Flowering Newsletter

"Meets a need in describing the essentials of floral development and some of the recent research. . .it will be useful in courses as an introduction to a timely and important subject." --Annals of Botany

"Meets a need in describing the essentials of floral development and some of the recent research. . .it will be useful in courses as an introduction to a tinely and important subject." --Annals of Botany

"This is a worthy contribution to the literature. Although it is concerned with mechanisms and control of floral development it acknowledges adequately other aspects of the study of floral morphology and development." --Canadian Botanical Association

"This is an attractive and fairly slim book. . .should provide a useful introduction, for advanced students trained in disciplines other than botaby, to the vast and still rapidly increasing literature on the many old and fascinating problems posed by the angiosperm flower." --Plant Science Bulletin