Faced with an alarming rate of loss of biodiversity, one strategy supported by many scientists is the use of zoos. This volume aims to win converts to ex situ efforts to protect plant genetic diversity.

Plants provide the food, shelter, medicines, and biomass that underlie sustainable life. One of the earliest and often overlooked uses of plants is the production of smoke, dating to the time of early hominid species. Plant-derived smoke has had an enormous socio-economic impact throughout human history, being burned for medicinal and recreational purposes, magico-religious ceremonies, pest control, food preservation, and flavoring, perfumes, and incense.

This illustrated global compendium documents and describes approximately 2,000 global uses for over 1,400 plant species. The Uses...