The philosopher's plant

By Michael Marder

Subjects: History, Botany, history, Human-plant relationships, Plants, Philosophy, Adaptation, Botany

Description: "Despite their conceptual allergy to vegetal life, philosophers have used germination, growth, blossoming, fruition, reproduction, and decay as illustrations of abstract concepts; mentioned plants in passing as the natural backdrops for dialogues, letters, and other compositions; spun elaborate allegories out of flowers, trees, and even grass; and recommended appropriate medicinal, dietary, and aesthetic approaches to select species of plants." --