An orchard invisible : a natural history of seeds / Jonathan Silvertown ; with illustrations by Amy Whitesides.

Chicago ; London : The University of Chicago Press, 2009.

216 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

An orchard invisible: seeds -- First forms minute: evolution -- Even beans do it: sex -- Before the seed: pollination -- According to their own kinds: inheritance -- O rose, thou art sick!: enemies -- The biggest coconut I ever see: size -- Ten thousand acorns: number -- Luscious clusters of the vine: fruit -- Winged seeds: dispersal -- Circumstance unknown: fate -- Fierce energy: germination -- Sorrow's mysteries: poisons -- Ah, sun-flower!: oil -- John Barleycorn: beer -- Realm of illusion: coffee -- Nourishment and inspiration: gastronomy.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-209) and index.