Page numbers refer to the 2014 print edition.
Italic numerals refer to captions; bold to illustrations
Aborigines, Australian 174
Adanson, Michel 216
Adansonia spp. 216–17; Adansonia digitata 216, 217; see also baobab
addiction 82, 85, 86, 94, 95, 134, 151, 152
Afghanistan 68, 87
Africa 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 61, 66, 89, 125, 131, 132, 133, 144, 148, 155, 160, 162, 189, 215, 218; East 136; North 21, 50, 104, 138, 143, 154, 174, 179, 186, 190; South 54, 108; southern 106, 107; sub-Saharan 41; West 22, 149, 161, 216
Albius, Edmond 211
alcohol 54, 86, 144
Alexander the Great 103, 106, 143, 184
alfalfa 46–47; see also Medicago sativa
alkaloid 66, 82, 83, 86, 89, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 110, 111, 134, 148, 151
alliums 11, 56, 68–71; see also Allium spp. and individual types
Allium spp. 68–71; cepa var. cepa 57, 69; porrum 70; sativum 70; see also alliums
Almaty (Alma Ata) 193
aloe 82, 106–07; Aloe spp. 106–07; ferox 107
alpha linolenic acids 121
Altai Mountains 78
Amazon/Amazonia 130, 133, 146, 156, 158
America 14, 27, 28, 30, 31, 38, 41, 66, 105, 128, 130, 132, 133, 140, 144, 146, 151, 153, 160, 161, 170, 212, 226; Central/Meso- 28, 32, 57, 125, 149, 178; North 28, 32, 37, 45, 55, 62, 73, 78, 99, 116, 118, 126, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 173, 176, 184, 193, 194, 195, 201, 205, 228; pre-Columbian 37, 156; South 34, 39, 43, 44, 45, 47, 80, 82, 83, 89, 96, 97, 107, 122, 154, 163, 214, 218, 220, 226; see also USA
amino acids 21, 28, 77
Amsterdam 98, 138, 205
anaesthetic 82, 94, 95, 97
Anatolia 46, 176
Andes 34, 37, 38, 80, 89, 94, 116
angiosperm 10, 221
antioxidants 52
Antoinette, Marie 37
Antwerp 121, 202
aphrodisiac 57, 76, 80, 194, 209
apple 181, 192–95; see also Malus spp.
Arabian Peninsula 61, 107, 187, 188, 189
Arabic 64, 106, 138; medicine 96, 106
Arabs 103, 125, 143, 187
Arachis hypogaea 35; see also groundnut
Arctic 68, 100, 101, 166, 212
aril 62, 181, 190
Aristotle 106
Arnold, Joseph 224
Artemisia annua 90, 91; see also wormwood, sweet
artemisinin 83, 89–91
Arthur, King 194
Art Nouveau 184
Artocarpus spp. 44–45; altilis 44, 45; heterophyllus 15; see also breadfruit; jackfruit
ascorbic acid 104, 105; see also vitamins: C
Asgard 194
Asia 8, 11, 12, 14, 22, 24, 31, 32, 37, 42, 43, 64, 66, 68, 75, 83, 85, 89, 103, 106, 116, 118, 122, 126, 128, 132, 133, 135, 138, 140, 144, 154, 160, 161, 166, 168, 174, 176, 177, 183, 222; Central 78, 98, 181, 193, 202; East 73, 74, 77, 117, 196; northeast 27; South 25, 44, 96, 184, 206; Southeast 90, 160, 159; Southwest 16, 18, 19, 47, 87, 92, 100, 143, 186, 200
asparagus 56, 76, 77; see also Asparagus officinalis
Asparagus: acutifolius 76; officinalis 76, 77; see also asparagus
aspirin 82, 100, 101, 212
Assyrian 114, 186
Athens 50
atherosclerosis 49
Aubriet, Claude 55
Aurelius, Marcus 85
Australia 10, 12, 14, 37, 54, 103, 136, 151, 164, 172, 174, 175, 176, 183, 193, 209, 214, 217, 222
Avena spp. 46–47; sativa 47; see also oat
Avicennia 178; see also mangroves
Ayurveda 11, 92, 96
Aztec 28, 66, 80, 125, 146, 151, 156, 211, 226
Babylonian 114
Baeyer, Adolf von 155
Baines, Thomas 217, 219
Ball, Samuel 136
bamboo 10, 113, 128–29, 134, 143, 196; see also Bambusa; Phyllostachys spp.
Bambusa balcooa 12; see also bamboo
banana 133, 146, 160–61; see also Musa spp.
Banda 61, 62, 65
Bangladesh 12, 130
Banks, Joseph 45, 172, 209, 213
baobab 214, 216–17; see also Adansonia spp.
barley 16, 19, 20, 21, 46, 47; see also Hordeum vulgare
barrels 52, 118
baskets 100, 101, 113, 128, 186
Bauer, Francis 211
bean 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 43; sprouts 22; see also coffee; chocolate; Glycine max; legumes; lotus; Phaseolus spp.; Vanilla planifolia; Vigna spp.
beer 21, 57, 78–79; sorghum 41; maize 28, 30, 38, 94
Beer, Charles T. 110
bees 143, 169
beetles 169, 214, 220, 221, 225
Beijing 229
Belgian Congo (DRC) 162
bergamot orange 105, 136, 136
Beringia 31, 193
Bernard, Claude 97
Bible 34, 70, 188, 190
biodiversity 214; hotspot 83
biofuel 32
biomass 100, 227
biopiracy 111
birth 184, 190; control 108
black-eyed pea see cowpea
Blackwell, Elizabeth 77
Bligh, William 45
blood 74, 190, 191, 211; clots 71; lipids 107; pressure 83, 92, 93; sugar 107, 110
Bolivia 38, 66, 220
Bonaparte, Napoleon 15, 145, 154, 201
bonsai 164, 167, 196
Borneo 165, 222, 224, 225
Boswellia sacra 181, 189; see also frankincense
botanical art/artists 24, 38, 52, 55, 57, 77, 86, 103, 104, 146, 146, 170, 176 181, 184, 200, 202, 206, 214, 211
botanical espionage 65, 90
botanical gardens 98, 106, 226, 171; Bogor 10, 174; Calcutta 103; Singapore 159; see also Kew
botanists 8, 12, 55, 83, 91, 108, 143, 156, 169, 181, 211, 219, 221
Bounty, HMS 45
Brahma 184
Brahmins 71
brassicas 56, 72–75, 154; see also Brassica spp. and individual types
Brassica spp. 72–75; chinensis 75; napus 73; nigra 75; see also brassicas
Brazil 38, 65, 66, 105, 130, 140, 141, 144, 146, 149, 156, 158, 159, 174, 209
bread 18, 19, 21, 28, 38, 58, 186
breadfruit 14, 15, 44–45; see also Artocarpus altilis
breaking viruses 12, 202, 204, 205
brewing 19, 22, 28, 78; tea 134, 135; coffee 141
Britain 61, 79, 86, 92, 98, 116, 126, 131, 136, 140, 149, 151, 153, 154, 167, 173, 176, 193, 194, 209, 220; see also England
broccoli 57, 73, 74; see also brassicas
Bronze Age 50, 114, 186
broomcorn 25; see also millets and Panicum miliaceum
Brussels sprouts 73; see also brassicas
bubonic plague 54, 61
Buddhism/Buddhist 58, 180, 183; Mahayana 184; monk 134, 213
bulb 70, 202, 205
Burbank, Luther 99
Burma (Myanmar) 44, 92
Bussato, Marco 193
butter 135, 162; cocoa 149; peanut 38; yak 134
cabbage 57, 73, 74, 224; see also brassicas
cactus 165, 170, 171; see also Carnegiea gigantea; saguaro cactus
caffeine 94, 134, 138, 140, 141, 148, 186
Calcutta 24, 103, 215
California 12, 54, 105, 117, 118, 164, 168, 169, 216; Current 168
camel 46, 186, 188
Camellia sinensis 134–37, 137; see also tea
Canary Islands 143, 160
cancer 49, 52, 71, 75, 99, 105, 110, 112, 119, 152–53
Cannabis sativa 122–23, 123; see also hemp
Canton 135, 135, 136
capsaicin 66
Capsicum spp. 66–67, 67; baccatum 66; see also chilli peppers
carbohydrates 21, 28, 71, 160; see also starch
carbon 159; dioxide 8, 166, 170, 218, 227; sink 178
cardiovascular disease 52, 92, 100, 105, 121, 190
Carnegiea gigantea 170, 171; see also saguaro cactus
carnivorous plants 222–23
Catharanthus roseus 111; see also Madagascar periwinkle
Cato 74, 76
Cattley, William 209
cauliflory 146
cauliflower 57, 73, 74
cayenne 66, 67
cedar 130, 131; of Lebanon 112, 114–15; see also Cedrus libani
Cedrus libani 113, 114, 115
‘celestial mountains’ 193, 195
Celts 46, 74, 194
cereals 15, 21, 25, 46
Ceylon see Sri Lanka
Chenopodium quinoa 39; see also quinoa
Chile 28, 34, 54, 80
chilli peppers 32, 43, 57, 64, 66–67, 80, 146, 148; see also Capsicum spp.
China/Chinese 22, 24, 27, 35, 37, 38, 43, 54, 57, 61, 67, 74, 80, 83, 86, 90, 91, 98, 121, 122, 128, 129, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 143, 159, 168, 177, 180, 183, 184, 188, 190, 196, 197, 201, 206, 212, 213, 228; plum see Prunus mume
chives 71; Chinese 68
chlorophyll 8, 152, 224
chocolate 66, 138, 144, 146–49, 211; see also Theobroma cacao
cholera 154
chopsticks 22, 128
Christian church 54, 112, 169, 188, 191, 194, 200; Eastern 188
cider 194
Cinchona spp. 88–91; officinalis 88; see also quinine
cinnamon 61, 86
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) 130
citron 103, 104, 194; see also citrus
Citrus spp. 102–05, 102; bergamia 136; medica 104; tangerina 104; see also citrus and individual types
citrus 82, 102–05; see also Citrus spp.
Cleopatra 58
climate 32, 34, 49, 105, 125, 130, 138, 145, 154, 166, 176, 186, 194, 201, 222, 228, 229; change 16, 33, 79, 168
cloth/clothing 8, 12, 61, 113, 120, 121, 122, 125, 126, 132, 156, 184, 202, 216; see also textiles
cloves 56, 61, 62, 65, 86; see also Syzygium aromaticum
Clusius, Carolus 205
coca 94–95; see also Erythroxylum coca
cocaine 82, 86, 94, 95
cocoa 148, 149; butter 149; see also chocolate; Theobroma cacao
coconut 64
codeine 86, 87
Coffea spp. 138–41; arabica 132, 138, 139, 140; see also coffee
coffee 12, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138–41, 144, 186; beans 216; plants 95, 134; see also Coffea spp.
collard greens 74; see also brassicas
Colocasia esculenta 44–45, 45; see also taro
Colombia 87, 95, 116, 140, 201
Columbus, Christopher 28, 32, 35, 66, 105, 107, 143, 148, 151
Columella 46, 49
Confucius/Confucian 122, 206, 228
conifers 114–15, 118–19, 166–67, 168–69, 188
Constantinople see Istanbul
contraception 83, 108–09
Cook, James 45, 172
cooks/cooking 14, 22, 30, 38, 42, 43, 44, 52, 57, 58, 64, 66, 67, 68, 73, 74, 75, 80, 103, 105, 144, 149, 161, 162, 173, 177, 194; books 18, 71
cork 117, 120
corm 44, 45, 58
corn (maize) 28, 31; syrup 32; see also Zea mays
cosmetics 49, 58, 105, 106, 162, 182, 154, 186, 216
cotton 113, 120, 121, 124–27, 132; see also Gossypium spp.
cowpea (black-eyed pea) 41, 43; see also Vigna unguiculata
Crassulacean acid metabolism 170, 218
Cretaceous 183
Crete 85, 212
Crocus sativus 58–59, 59; see also saffron
Cucurbita spp. 28, 31, 30; pepo 14, 30; see also squash
culm 128, 129
Culpeper, Nicholas 100
curare 83, 96, 97; see also Strychnos toxifera
currency, plants as 10, 134, 146
Cyathea dealbata 173; see also silver tree fern
Cyprus 74, 85, 86
Darwin, Charles 181, 209, 211, 222
date palm 12, 181, 186–87; see also Phoenix dactylifera
Day, John 208
depression 93
Deschamps, Louis August 224
Devonian 172
diabetes 71, 110, 145
dinosaurs 10, 214, 216, 218, 228
dioecious 78
Dioscorea spp. 41–43, 108–09; esculenta 9; cayenensis 43; mexicana 109; see also yams
Dioscorides 85, 98, 208, 212, 213
diosgenin 108, 109
disease resistance 18, 21, 32, 35, 55, 80, 81, 160
doctrine of signatures 206
domestication 8, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 41, 42, 46, 49, 52, 54, 66, 68, 73, 80, 120, 125, 126, 146, 188, 190, 198, 226
Dominy, John 209
drugs 59, 82, 83, 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 100, 106, 107, 110, 112, 119, 138
Dutch 62, 65, 73, 78, 89, 90, 98, 104, 130, 135, 144, 149, 162, 181, 205
dye 58, 154, 155, 175
Earl Grey tea 105, 136
East India Company: British 8, 24, 62, 92, 126, 136, 200; Dutch (VOC) 62, 64
East Indies 38, 62, 66, 128, 209
ecology 166, 174, 175, 186, 189, 193
edamame 22
Eden, Garden of 181, 193
Edwards, Brigid 86
Egypt 16, 21, 44, 50, 54, 85, 86, 120, 151, 154, 162, 188, 200, 216
Egyptian 18, 21, 58, 70, 71, 74, 100, 106, 114, 120, 183, 184, 186; cotton 125
Elaeis spp. 162–63; guineensis 163; see also oil palm
elephant 106, 108
England 58, 62, 78, 90, 104, 118, 151, 152, 160, 162, 171, 176, 191, 201, 205, 228; see also Britain
environmental issues 73, 101, 119, 126, 133, 162
enzymes 68, 71, 74, 215, 222, 223
epiphytes 176, 206, 209
Equator 34, 41, 100, 146, 160, 178
Erfurt 74, 155
erucic acid 73
Erythroxylum coca 94, 95, 95; see also cocaine
Ethiopia 41, 126, 132, 138
ethylene 81
Eucalyptus spp. 10, 10, 12, 164, 164, 174–75; alba 10; persicifolia 175; resinifera 164; see also gum: trees
Evelyn, John 71, 167
farmers/farming 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 34, 44, 46, 47, 50, 76, 152, 155, 162, 178, 194
fatty acids: free 163; omega 121; unsaturated 49
ferns 169, 173, 178; craze 173; see also silver tree fern
Fertile Crescent 16, 21, 22, 24, 46
fertility 154, 181, 184, 190, 191, 208
fertilization 10, 37, 228
fever 96, 100, 190, 224; see also malaria
Fibonacci spirals 226
fibres 47, 113, 120, 123, 125, 126, 128, 186, 216; bast 120, 122
Fitch, W. H. 177, 206
flavonoid 52
flavour 15, 27, 43, 49, 52, 56, 61, 62, 67, 68, 77, 81, 105, 136, 146, 149, 196, 211
flax 16, 113, 120–21, 125 see also Linum usitatissimum
Florida 105, 130, 154
flour 22, 25, 30, 38, 41, 45, 101, 161, 186
fodder 32, 38, 41, 46–47, 186
food: chain 8; preservation/storage, 16, 27, 28, 31, 42, 46, 52, 54, 136, 140, 194
forest 11, 43, 90, 108, 115, 116, 118, 128, 130, 144, 164, 168, 190, 206, 215, 228; boreal 164, 166; fire 174; mangrove 178, 179; rain- 133, 138, 162, 163, 224; temperate 193
Fortune, Robert 229
‘founder crops’ 14, 15
France 19, 32, 34, 58, 76, 92, 111, 118, 145, 159, 162, 205; see also French
frankincense 181, 188–89; see also Boswellia sacra
French 37, 51, 55, 62, 71, 89, 97, 100 140, 144, 148, 151, 155, 156, 161, 172, 176, 216; see also France
Fresneau, François 156
Freud, Sigmund 94
fructooligosaccharides 71
fructose 143
Fuchs, Leonhart 66, 106
furniture 12, 112, 116, 129, 130, 131, 158, 184
Galen 71, 85, 87, 209
gardens 14, 28, 43, 76, 110, 190, 196, 202, 205, 228; kitchen 16, 56, 194; palace 186; Persian 201; plants 68, 74, 85, 108, 137, 176, 177, 198, 212; see also botanical gardens; physic gardens
garlic 56, 68, 70, 71; see also Allium sativum
genetic 15, 18, 28, 32, 33, 52, 65, 66, 80, 81, 103, 120, 126, 133, 195; modification/GM 27, 32, 81, 126
genome 19, 73
George III, King 104, 228
Gerard, John 58, 76, 78, 198, 226
German 28, 85, 92, 94, 100, 145, 151, 155, 159, 228
Germany 34, 46, 58, 73, 74, 78, 118, 193, 205, 226
gibberellin 21
ginkgo/Ginkgo biloba 228–29, 228, 229
glucosinolate 73, 74
Glycine spp. 22, 27; max 23; see also soybean
gods/goddesses, ancient: Amun-Ra 114; Aphrodite 194; Athena 50; Bacchus 54; Ceres 16; Cybele 71, 183; Demeter 190; Dionysus 54; Flora 16; Hades 190, 212; Heh 186; Idun 194; Inanna 183; Isis 183, 184; Persephone 190; Pomona 16
Goodyear, Charles 156, 157
Gossypium spp. 124–27; neglectum 127; religiosum 124; see also cotton
gourd 97; bottle 31
graft/grafting 52, 55, 177, 193
grain 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 32, 38, 39, 41, 52, 78
grams 22, 27; see also Vigna spp.
Grandville, J. J. 12, 85
grapefruit 103; see also citrus
grapes/grapevine 15, 52–55; see also Vitis spp.
grasses 11, 15, 19, 21, 25, 28, 41, 47, 113, 128, 133, 143; see also bamboo; barley; maize; millets; rice; sorghum; wheat
Greece/Greeks 21, 46, 50, 51, 54, 64, 70, 71, 74, 85, 86, 87, 100, 125, 154, 183, 187, 188, 190, 193, 194, 200, 206, 208, 212
Green Revolution 21
Grierson Mary 202
groundnut 35, 37–38; see also Arachis hypogaea
gum 181, 189; trees 10, 164, 174–75; blue 164; see also Eucalyptus
Guyana 97, 220
Haiti 35, 38, 43
hallucinogenic 151
Hancock, Thomas 156, 158
Han dynasty 27, 46, 122, 190, 196
Hawaii 44, 160
Helianthus annuus 12, 226–27, 226, 227; see also sunflower
heliotropism 226
hemp 113, 122–23; see also Cannabis sativa
Henry VIII, King 78, 118, 191
herbalist 100, 226
herbals 12, 106, 212, 213
herbarium 33, 75, 95, 200, 202
Heritiera 179; see also mangroves
hermaphrodite plants 52, 160, 212
Herodotus 125
heroin 81, 86; see also opium
Hesperides, Garden of 194; golden apples 105, 194
hesperidium 105
Hevea brasiliensis 156–59, 157; see also rubber
Himalaya 98, 165, 166, 176
Hindu 71, 180, 184
Hippocratic 85, 106, 190
Hiroshima 215, 229
Hittites 46
HIV/AIDS 87, 110, 119
Holmes, Sherlock 94
Hondius, Petrus 202
honey 61, 143, 186
Hooker: Joseph Dalton 89, 98, 134, 158, 171, 176, 177, 200, 206, 218, 219; William 97, 220
hop 57, 76, 78–79; see also Humulus lupulus
Hordeum vulgare 20; see also barley
hormones: plant 21, 108; human 108
hothouses 103, 104, 110, 160, 209, 215, 220, 223
Houten, Coenraad van 149
humoral medicine/humours 54, 59, 71, 78
Humulus spp. 78–79; lupulus 79; see also hop
hunting and gathering 11, 16, 114, 118
hybrid 22, 103, 126, 136, 149, 160, 178, 193, 198, 201, 206, 208, 211
hybridization 19, 24, 25, 32, 34, 41, 55, 73, 80, 98, 130, 143, 177, 198, 209, 225
Iberia/Iberian 44, 57, 117, 143, 194
ice age 8, 10, 11, 14, 78
ice cream 126, 209
Ikeda Kikunae 77
Inca/Incan 29, 34, 38, 39, 94
India 15, 21, 22, 35, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 56, 57, 58, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 73, 80, 83, 85, 86, 89, 90, 92, 96, 103, 106, 122, 125, 126, 130, 132, 138, 140, 143, 144, 151, 154, 155, 160, 161, 174, 176, 183, 184, 188, 189, 214, 222, 227; British 136; northeast 12, 112; northwest 119
indigo 133, 154–55; see also Indigofera tinctoria; Isatis tinctoria
Indigofera tinctoria 154
Indonesia 10, 27, 44, 61, 65, 130, 133, 160, 161, 163, 206, 211
Indus Valley 22, 75, 126
intoxication 52, 57, 148
introgression 193
Ipomoea batatas 35, 37, 38; see also potato, sweet
Iran 59, 183, 213
iron 27, 166; Age 25, 114, 25; tools 42; work 214
irrigation 24, 42, 44, 50, 103, 129, 143, 186
Isatis tinctoria 154, 155; see also indigo
Islam 41, 187, 201; see also Muslim
Israelites 70, 114
Istanbul 61, 138, 202
Italy 32, 34, 46, 50, 58, 74, 76, 80, 100, 117, 118, 148, 181, 184, 193
jackfruit 15; see also Artocarpus heterophyllus
Jacqui, Nikolaus 130
Jamaica 65, 110, 144, 149
Japan/Japanese 12, 22, 27, 38, 56, 75, 77, 91, 108, 113, 128, 134, 135, 164, 166, 167, 183, 184, 206, 212, 213, 228; apricot 196–97; see also Prunus mume
Java 10, 90, 132, 140, 162, 174, 224
jeans 125, 126, 155
Jerusalem 114, 187, 190
Jesus 187, 188, 191, 200
Johnson, Samuel 136
Jones, Donald F. 32
Josephine, Empress 201
Judaism 54, 103, 187, 190
Jurassic 168
Kaempfer, Engelbert 186, 206, 228
kale 73, 74; see also brassicas
Kashmir 79, 183
Kenya 136, 140, 201
Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens 33, 65, 79, 89, 90, 97, 103, 133, 134, 143, 158, 171, 176, 200, 202, 208, 211, 219, 220, 228
kimch’i 73
Kircher, Athanasius 98, 183
koala 175
kohlrabi 57, 73, 74; see also brassicas
Korea 27, 73, 184, 196, 206, 228
Kyakhta 98, 135
Lakshmi 184
larch 164, 166–67; see also Larix spp.
Larix spp. 166–67; europaea 167; see also larch
latex 106, 107, 156, 159
laudanum 86
Lebanon 114, 115
leek 56, 68, 70, 71; see also alliums
legumes 14, 19, 30, 38, 41, 43, 46, 52
Leiden 205
lemon 103, 104, 105; see also Citrus limon
Lens culinaris 19, 21; see also lentil
lenticel 179
lentil 14, 16, 21, 43; Puy 19; see also Lens culinaris
Leroux, Henri 100
leukaemia 83, 110
Levant 16, 50, 55, 80, 114, 188
Lever, William and James 162
lichen 169, 172
lime 30, 143, 154
lime (fruit) 103, 104; see also citrus
Lind, James 104
Lindley, John 210
linen 113, 114, 120, 121, 122, 125, 126; see also Linum usitatissimum
Linnaeus, Carl 67, 89, 130, 146, 176, 222; Linnean 22
lino 120
Linum spp. 120–21; usitatissimum 121; see also linen
Lithocarpus elegans 112
Liverpool 144, 148, 161
Livingstone, David 143, 216
Loddiges nursery 175
London 62, 99, 103, 135, 138, 144, 158, 167, 175, 208, 214, 219
longbow 112, 118, 119
lotus 180, 182–85; see also Nelumbo nucifera
Louis XIV, King 16, 76
lucerne 46, 47; see also Medicago sativa
lysine 21, 38
McClintock, Barbara 32
mace 61, 62; see also Myristica fragrans
Madagascar 43, 110, 111, 211, 214, 217
Madagascar periwinkle 83, 110–11; see also Catharanthus roseus
Madeira 143, 144
mahogany 112, 130–31; see also Swietenia
maize 11, 15, 28–33; see also Zea mays
malaria 83, 89, 90, 96, 100, 174, 219, 224
Malaysia/Malaysian 38, 44, 65, 159
mallow 74
Malus spp. 193, 195; domestica 192, 195; see also apple
mandrake 80
mangroves 165, 178–79; see also Avicennia; Rhizophora spp.
Māori 165, 172, 173
margarine 162, 163
Margraf, Andreas Sigismund 144
marijuana 122; see also Cannabis sativa
Marker, Russell 108, 109
marmalade 105
Mary, Virgin 155, 200
Maya 28, 30, 146, 151
Mayflower 78
Medicago sativa 46–47, 47; see also alfalfa
Mediterranean: cooking 47; diet 49, 71
Mehmed II 202
Mendel, Gregor 32
Merian, Maria Sibylla 191
Mesopotamia 16, 18, 50, 54, 68, 183, 186, 188
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 168; see also redwoods
Mexico 28, 31, 33, 35, 37, 54, 66, 107, 108, 130, 146, 148, 168, 211, 212, 226; City 109
Michelin brothers 159
Middle Passage 41, 144
midges 146
mildew 54
milk 16, 135, 149, 186
Miller, Philip 110, 111
millets (broomcorn/foxtail) 22, 25, 27, 41; see also Setaria spp.; Panicum miliaceum
milpa system 28, 31, 32, 66
minerals 10, 18, 38, 169
Moluccas 61, 65
Monardes, Nicolas 226
monasteries 54, 71, 76, 194
Mongol/Mongolia 98, 135, 197, 206
monoculture 126, 133, 165
morphine 82, 86, 87, 94, 95
mosquitoes 89, 90, 174, 223
Moutan see peony
Muhammad 201
mulberry 44, 122
mung bean 22, 27; see also Vigna radiata
Musa spp. × balbisiana 133, 160; × paradisiaca 161; see also banana
Muslim 46, 58, 76, 106, 138, 154, 160, 187, 194; Spain 121; see also Islam
muslin 125
mustard: seed 73; oil 74
mycorrhizal fungi 209
Myristica fragrans 61, 62, 65; see also mace; nutmeg
myrrh 188
Nahua 81; Nahuatl 28, 66
Namib Desert 214, 218, 219
Native Americans 29, 32, 94, 117, 118, 146, 151, 165, 166, 170, 171
Nelumbo nucifera 182, 183, 185; see also lotus
Neolithic 54, 85; Deccan 22; late 50; pottery 122; revolution 16, 21
Nepal 12, 119
Nepenthes spp. 222–23; distillatoria 223, 223; see also pitcher plant
Nero 58, 85
Nestlé, Henri 149
Netherlands, the 61, 62, 78, 146; see also Dutch
neurodegenerative disease 52
New Zealand 37, 54, 131, 165, 172, 173
niacin 30
Nicot, Jean 151
Nicotiana spp. 150–53; tabacum 150; see also tobacco
nicotine 151, 152
Niemann, Albert 94
nightshade 34, 80
nitrogen 215, 222; fixing 28, 30, 43
Noble, Robert 110
Nooten, Berthe Hoola van 146, 161
norethisterone 109
North, Marianne 65, 165, 169, 170
nutmeg 56, 60–65; see also Myristica fragrans
oak 52, 79, 112, 116–17; cork 117; see also Quercus spp.
oat 16, 46–47; see also Avena spp.
obesity 145
Oceania 14, 15, 37, 44, 160
oil: bergamot 105, 136; cedar 114; cotton seed 126; date kernel 186; eucalyptus 174, 175; groundnut 38; hemp 122, 123; lamp 49, 75, 190; linseed 120; maize 32; mustard seed 74; olive 15, 49–51; palm 12, 49, 216; palm kernel 162; rapeseed 73; rose 198; sunflower 226
oil palm 133, 162–63; see also Elaeis guineensis
Olea europaea 48–51, 48; see also olive
Oligocene 198
olive 48–51, 114, 190; see also Olea europaea
Oman 188, 189
onion 56, 68, 70, 71 205; see also Allium cepa var. cepa
Ono Motoyoshi 91
opium 82, 85, 86, 87, 136; see also heroin; morphine
opium poppy 84–87; see also Papaver somniferum
orange 103, 104, 105; see also Citrus sinensis
orangery 103, 104
orchids 8, 12, 180, 181, 206–11; Arachnis flosaeris 206; Cymbidium hookerianum 206; Cypripedium Morganiae 208; Orchis mascula 209; Orchis morio 180; Vanilla planifolia 211
Oryza spp. 22–27; sativa 24; see also rice
Osler, William 85–86
Ottoman 140, 181, 202
Pacific 44, 65, 168; islands 37, 44, 132, 143, 161, 174
paddy field 24
Paeon 212
Paeonia spp. 212–13; daurica 213; suffruticosa 212; see also peony
Pakistan 68, 92
Palestine 86
palm see date palm; oil palm
Pamir-Alai 202
panda 129
Panicum miliaceum 22, 25; see also millets
Papaver spp. 84–87; somniferum 82, 86, 87
paper 101, 113, 121, 121, 122, 126, 129, 175
Papua New Guinea 44, 143, 183, 211
Paracelsus 86
parasites 54, 80, 90, 91, 205, 209, 215, 224, 225
Paris 138, 140, 158
Parmentier, Antoine 37
Paxton, Joseph 220
peanut see Arachis hypogaea; groundnut
peas 16, 21; cowpea 41, 43; see also Pisum sativum; Vigna unguiculata
pellagra 30
peony 180, 212–13; see also Paeonia spp.
pepper: black 56, 61, 64, 65; long 64; white 64; see also Piper nigrum; Capsicum spp.
Pepys, Samuel 61, 76, 135, 146
perfume 105, 162; see also scent
Persia/Persian 46, 58, 76, 98, 114, 143, 184, 187, 194, 200, 201, 202
Peru 28, 31, 34, 37, 38, 54, 66, 80, 89, 95, 125, 131
Peter the Great 122
Petronio, Alessandro 76
pharmaceutical companies 86, 94, 100, 110
pharmacopeia 12, 90, 98, 106, 107, 206
Phaseolus spp. 27, 28, 30; albiflorus 33 coccineus 29; see also beans
Philippines 37, 38, 44, 80, 110, 131, 133, 224
Phoenicia/Phoenicians 58, 112, 114, 115, 190
Phoenix dactylifera 186–87, 187; see also date palm
photosynthesis 8, 170, 218, 224
Phyllostachys spp. 128–29; castillonis 129; see also bamboo
phylloxera 54, 55
physalis 80
physic gardens 71, 98; Chelsea 77, 111
physician 66, 71, 85, 89, 212
phytoremediation 47, 227
pickles 73, 196
pigment 8, 52, 120, 154, 175, 205
‘Pill, the’ 108–09
pine 114, 166, 196; resin 54
Piper nigrum 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 66; see also pepper
Piria, Raffaele 100
Pisum sativum 16, 17, 21; see also peas
pitcher plant 222–23; see also Nepenthes spp.
plantain see Musa
plantations 10, 12, 64, 65, 89, 90, 98, 126, 130, 132, 133, 136, 141, 143, 144, 146, 149, 152, 154, 158, 159, 161, 162, 164, 174
Pliny 46, 74, 76, 78, 106, 160
Pliocene 193
plough 37, 46, 47
plum: blossom 181, 196–97; Chinese 196–97; ink 197
poison/poisonous 12, 34, 80, 82, 83, 96, 97, 110
pollen 10, 30, 211, 220, 221, 224; analysis 49
pollinator 170, 181, 183, 211, 214, 215, 220
polyphenols 49, 99
pomegranate 181, 190–91; see also Punica granatum
poppy, opium see Papaver somniferum
Portugal/Portuguese 37, 38, 47, 61, 62, 96, 98, 135, 144, 148, 151, 160, 219
potato 8, 14, 34, 35; blight 34, 35; famine 34, 35; see also Solanum tuberosum
potato, sweet 35, 37, 38; see also Ipomoea batatas
pottage 21
probiotic food 71
progesterone 108, 109
proteins 8, 15, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 31, 35, 38, 41, 56, 78, 205
Prunus mume 196–97, 196, 197
psychoactive 86, 94, 122, 138, 151
pumpkin 31, 32; see also squash
Punica granatum 181, 190, 191; see also pomegranate
qinghao 90, 91
Quercus spp. 112, 116–17; alba 116; aliena and variabilis 117; see also oak
quinine 83, 89, 90
quinoa 38; see also Chenopodium quinoa
Qur’an 186
Raffles, Stamford 224
rafflesia 215, 224–25; Rafflesia arnoldii 225; patma 224
raisins 52, 54, 55
rapeseed 73, 75; see also brassicas
rauvolfia 83; Rauvolfia serpentina 92–93, 92, 93
Rauwolf, Leonhard 92
Rea, John 16
Redouté, Pierre-Joseph 52, 198, 212
redwoods 12, 164, 168–69, 216; see also Metasequoia glyptostroboides; Sequoia sempervirens
Reichenbach, Heinrich Gustave 206
reserpine 83, 92, 93
resin 8, 54, 112, 114, 115, 166, 188, 189
Rheede, Hendrik van 42, 45, 64, 93
Rheum spp. 98–99; officinale 98; spiciforme 99; see also rhubarb
rheumatoid arthritis 52
rhizome 78, 128, 183, 184, 208, 209
Rhizophora spp. 178–79; mangle 6, 179; see also mangrove
rhododendron 165, 169, 176–77; Rhododendron spp. 176–77; dalhousiae 177; nuttallii 165
rhubarb 82, 98–99; see also Rheum spp.
rice 11, 15, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 42, 44, 58; basmati 25; see also Oryza spp.
Robinson, Halina Czajkowski 110
Rome 21, 50, 54, 58, 61, 85, 206
Roman 16, 21, 46, 50, 54, 56, 64, 70, 71, 74, 76, 106, 117, 154, 166, 185, 187, 188, 193, 194, 200, 201, 208
rope 113, 120, 122, 123, 179, 191, 216, 223
Rosa spp. 198–201; bifera officinalis 199; chinensis Jacq. var. minima 200; damascena 198; see also rose
rose 8, 12, 119, 180, 198–201, 206, 213; water 151, 198; see also Rosa spp.
Rosicrucians 200
Roxburgh, William 8, 83, 103, 125
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew see Kew
Royal Geographic Society 220
Royal Society of Arts 98, 220
rubber 133, 146, 156–59; see also Hevea brasiliensis
Rumphius, Georg Eberhard 209
Russia/Russian 73, 98, 100, 121, 122, 135, 166, 186
Rye, George 205
saccharine 41
Saccharum officinarum 133, 142, 143, 145; see also sugar
safflower 58
saffron 11, 56, 58–59, 58, 86; see also Crocus sativus
saguaro cactus 170–71; see also Carnegiea gigantea
salicin/salicylic acid 100
salicylate 212
salinity 12, 178, 179, 186
Salix spp. 100–01; alba 101; see also willow
Sanger, Margaret 108
Sanskrit 125
sap 133, 143, 156, 186
saponins 38, 109
Sarracenia 223; see also pitcher plant
scent 8, 25, 103, 112, 114, 165, 170, 176, 180, 181, 183, 188, 196, 197, 198, 201, 206, 213, 214, 220, 221, 222, 224
Schomburgk, Robert 220
Schuiteman, André 211
Scotland 167, 177
Scoville Heat Units 67
scurvy 83, 104, 219
Sen Rikyuū 134, 135
Sequoia sempervirens 169; see also redwoods
Sequoiadendron giganteum 168; see also redwoods
Setaria spp. 22, 25; italica 25; see also millets
Seville 226; orange 105
shallot 68, 71; see also Allium spp.
shamans 122, 151
Siberia 166, 167
Sichuan 168, 196
Sicilian/Sicily 21, 74, 125
Sikkim 176
silk 120; worm 122, 128
Silk Roads 46, 98, 154, 193
silver tree fern 165, 172–73; see also Cyathea dealbata
Singapore 158; Botanical Garden 159
slaves/slavery 41, 43, 45, 57, 76, 126, 132, 133, 144, 152, 154, 160, 211; trade 143
smoking 151, 152, 153
Smyrna see Izmir
snakes 94, 184; bite 83, 92, 93, 96
soap 49, 105, 162, 186, 216
Socotra 106
Solanaceae 80, 151
Solanum spp. 34, 37, 80–81; lycopersicum 81; peruvianum 80; tuberosum 36; see also potato; tomato
Solomon 114, 190
Song dynasty 197
Sonora Desert 171
sorghum 41
Sorghum spp. 40, 41; bicolor 40
soybean 22, 27; see also Glycine max
Spain 32, 34, 46, 58, 61, 62, 66, 103, 121, 125, 148, 151, 156, 187, 212
Spice Islands 56, 61, 62, 65
spices 56, 58–59, 60–65, 86, 148, 188, 189, 209, 212
Spruce, Robert 97
squash 14, 28, 30, 31, 32, 66; see also Cucurbita spp.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) 90, 92, 131, 132, 136, 138, 140, 159, 184, 223
starch 15, 22, 37, 44, 56, 161
Stedman, John G. 154
steroids 83, 108; see also diosgenin; progesterone
stigma 58, 59
stomata 169, 170, 218
Stone, Edmund 100
Strabo 143
strychnine 83, 96, 97; see also Strychnos spp.
Strychnos spp. 83, 96–97; nux-vomica 11, 83, 96
succulents 106–07, 170–71
sucrose 143, 145
sugar 8, 37, 61, 62, 71, 81, 99, 107, 110, 132, 143, 143–45, 148, 151; beet 144, 145; cane 126, 132, 142–45; see also Saccharum officinarum
sulphur 56, 68, 73, 74, 77, 156, 159
Sumatra 224, 225
sunflower 215, 226–27; see also Helianthus annuus
super crop 38
superfoods 56, 98, 190
Swieten, Gerard van 130
Swietenia spp. 130–31; mahagoni 6, 131; see also mahogany
Switzerland 149
Sydenham, Thomas 86
Syria 21, 86, 114
syringe 86, 94
Syzygium aromaticum 61, 63; see also cloves
Taíno-Arawakan people 28, 66
Talmud 51
Tanaka Yoshio 91
Tang dynasty 180, 183, 212
tannin 41, 116, 117, 175, 194
taro 44, 45; see also Colocasia esculenta
Taurus mountains 52, 114
Taxol® 119
Taxus spp. 118–19; brevifolia 118; see also yew
tea 10, 12, 105, 110, 132, 134–37, 138, 140, 144, 148, 151, 201, 228; see also Camellia sinensis
teosinte 28; see also maize
Tertiary, early 114
textiles 122, 125, 126, 128, 154, 202; see also cloth; cotton; linen; hemp
Thailand 22, 44, 92, 133, 224
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) 123
Theobroma spp. 146–49; cacao 6, 147; see also chocolate
theobromine 148
Theophrastus 208
theophylline 134
thiosulphinates 68
Tian Shan Mountains 193, 195, 202
Thornton, Robert 205
‘Three Sisters’ 28; see also milpa system
Thurber, Francis 141
Tibet 134, 183, 184
tobacco 65, 132, 150–53; see also Nicotiana spp.
Toichi Itoh 213
tomato 56, 57, 77, 80–81, 151; see also Solanum lycopersicum
Torah 190
tortillas 30, 38
Tournefort, Joseph de 55, 176
toxic/toxins 27, 38, 42, 74, 106
Triassic 172
Triticum spp. 16–21, 18; see also wheat
tuber 8, 14, 15, 34, 35, 37, 41, 42, 108, 109
tulip 8, 12, 16, 181, 202–05; fever/mania 181, 202; see also Tulipa spp.
Tulipa spp. 12, 202–05; armena 202; greigii 203; var. ‘Dracontia’ 181 var. ‘Variegata’ 181
Turkey/Turks 21, 55, 80, 85, 86, 114, 138, 152, 177, 181, 190, 202, 209, 213
turmeric 58
turpentine 166, 188
Tu Youyou 90, 91
tyres 159
umami 77
urad or black gram 22, 27; see also Vigna mungo
USA/United States 37, 38, 41, 43, 54, 80, 110, 126, 131, 140, 141, 144, 149, 153, 168, 174, 195, 221; see also America
vanilla 146, 148, 211; see also orchids: Vanilla planifolia
Vedas 184
Veitch, James 209
Venus fly-trap 222
Versailles 76, 111
Victoria amazonica 220–21, 221; see also waterlily: giant
Vienna 130, 138
Vigna spp. 22, 27, 41, 43; mungo 26; unguiculata 42; see also gram; urad
vine 22, 27, 35, 41, 62, 64, 96, 108, 215, 223, 224, 225; grape 15, 52, 54, 55, 190; see also Vitis spp.
vinegar 54, 196, 202
vineyard 52, 54, 55; see also grape; vine
Virginia, USA 122, 152
Vishnu 184
vitamins 18, 27, 38; A 163; B 25; C 104, 160; D 163; E 163; see also ascorbic acid; niacin
Vitis spp. 15, 52–55; vinifera 15, 53
Volkamer, Johann Christoph 104, 136
vulcanization 133, 158, 159
war 46, 121, 151; American Civil 126; Crimean 152; First World 121, 141, 152; Napoleonic 145; Opium 136; Persian 46; Second World 152, 215; Vietnam 90
Wardian case 90
Washington, George 141
water storage adaptations 106, 179, 216, 218
waterlily 214; giant 214, 220–21; see also Victoria amazonica
weeds 21, 28, 46, 73, 76, 80, 85, 90, 92, 144, 164
Welwitschia mirabilis 214, 215, 218–19, 219
West Indies 35, 65, 67, 107
wheat 11, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 27, 46, 47; Blé de Miracle 18; einkorn 19; emmer 18, 19; Polish 18; Spelt 18; see also Triticum spp.
wheelbarrow 129
Whitney, Eli 126
willow 82, 100–01; see also Salix spp.
wine 15, 52, 54, 55, 86, 98, 100, 116, 117, 118, 171, 186, 196; see also grape; Vitis spp.
woad 133, 154–55; see also Isatis tinctoria
World Health Organization 91
wormwood, sweet 91–92; see also Artemisia annua
yak butter 134
yams 8, 14, 37, 41, 42–43; Belt 43; see also Dioscorea spp.
Yangtze, basin 24; delta 183
Yellow River 25, 27; upper 25
Yemen 188, 189
yew 114, 118–19; see also Taxus spp.
Yuan dynasty 197, 206
Zagros 52, 54
Zea mays 28, 31, 31; see also maize
Zoroastrian 190, 200