Liberty Hyde Bailey's "Manual of Cultivated Plants" provides a systematic classification and description of the world's cultivated plants, focusing on their origins, characteristics, and practical uses. Its central thesis is the scientific organization and understanding of plants that have been domesticated and shaped by human intervention. The book aims to equip horticulturists, botanists, and gardeners with detailed knowledge of thousands of species, cultivars, and varieties, detailing their botanical families, nomenclature, and significant horticultural traits.
Readers gain a comprehensive reference for identifying and understanding the diverse array of plants cultivated for food, ornament, and other economic purposes. The text emphasizes the importance of precise botanical terminology and systematic arrangement for the effective study and management of agricultural and horticultural resources. It serves as an authoritative guide to the taxonomy and utility of plants that form the backbone of global agriculture and landscaping.
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Key concepts
- Taxonomy — The science of classification and naming of organisms.
- Nomenclature — The system of names used in a particular field, especially in botany.
- Cultivar — A plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding.
- Genus — A taxonomic rank above species and below family.
- Species — A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.