Bromeliaceae: Profile of an Adaptive Radiation

by David H. Benzing, B. Bennett, G. Brown, M. Dimmitt, H. Luther

Overview

This book presents a synthesis of the extensive information available on the biology of Bromeliacea, a largely neotropical family of about 2700 described species. The author emphasizes reproductive and vegetative structure, related physiology, ecology, and evolution, rather than floristics and taxonomy. Guiding questions include: Why is this family inordinately successful in arboreal (epiphytic) and other typically stressful habitats and why is this family so important to extensive fauna beyond pollinators and frugivores in the forest canopy? Extraordinary and sometimes novel mechanisms that mediate water balance, tolerance for high and low exposures, and mutualisms with ants have received much study and allow interesting comparisons among plant taxa and help explain why members of this taxon exhibit more adaptive and ecological variety than most other families of flowering plants. This volume concentrates on function and underlying mechanisms, thus it will round out a literature that otherwise mostly ignores basic biology in favor of taxonomy and horticulture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521430319
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/06/2000
Pages:	710
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.85(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Vegetative structure; 3. Reproductive structure; 4. Carbon and water balance; 5. Mineral nutrition; 6. Reproduction and life history with H. Luther and B. Bennett; 7. Ecology; 8. Relationships with fauna; 9. History and evolution with G. Brown and R. Terry; 10. Neoregelia subgenus Hylaeicum I. Ramírez; 11. Cryptanthus I. Ramírez; 12. Tillandsia and Racinaea W. Till; 13. Tillandsioideae W. Till; 14. Ethnobotany of Bromeliaceae B. Bennett; 15. Endangered Bromeliacea, M. Dimmitt; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Concentrating on function and underlying mechanisms, this book complements the existing bromeliad literature that favors taxonomy and horticulture. Highly recommended for all college and university libraries. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty." Choice

From the Publisher