Food plants of the world: an illustrated guide By Ben-Erik van Wyk Published in 2005 by Timber Press, full colour, hardcover, 480 pages Price $A59.95 plus $A12 postage within Australia [up to 3 kg], overseas postage please request a quote ISBN 0881927430 or ISBN 9789812611659

Plants and plant-derived products make up the bulk of what we eat and drink every day, and people often wonder where their favourite food or drink comes from. This scientifically accurate photographic guide provides quick and colourful answers.

Food Plants of the World is a comprehensive overview of the plants that provide us with food, beverages, spices and flavours. It is written in easy language but gives accurate scientific information on the plants and their uses. The book includes:

• Descriptions of more than 350 food and flavour plants and their close relatives. For each plant, the following information is given: plant description, origin, history, cultivation, harvesting, properties and culinary uses.
• More than 1000 excellent full-colour photographs, showing the plants, flowers and actual plant parts that are used.
• Introductory chapters on each of the various categories of plant use: cereals, pulses (legumes), nuts and seeds, fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs, sugar plants, beverages, spices and flavourings.
• Interesting facts about the historical and contemporary uses of the various plant-derived products.
• A quick guide and checklist of more than 800 of the most important and well-known food plants of the world, listed according to scientific name but giving the common names, family name, region of origin, main uses and plant parts used.

About the author

Ben-Erik van Wyk is a professor of Botany at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa (formerly Rand Afrikaans University). He has a research interest in systematic botany and plant utilisation.

Table of contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• Regions of origin
• Cereals
• Pulses (legumes)
• Nuts and seeds
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Culinary herbs
• Sugars, gums, gels and starches
• Beverages
• Spices and flavours
• The plants in alphabetical order (pages 36-391)
• Nutrients, diet and health
• Quick guide to food plants
• Glossary
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements and photo credits
• General index