In every culture, plants are intricately entwined with history, science, and folklore. From the seemingly familiar tomato and dandelion to the eerie mandrake and Spanish moss of Louisiana, each of these plants have a story that is full of surprises. As the texts here reveal, some have a troubling past, while others have ignited human creativity or enabled whole civilizations to flourish. Lucille Clerc provides intricate illustrations of such favorites as coffee, mistletoe, papyrus, liquorice, ginger, tobacco, amaranth, potato, kelp, pineapple, gingko, and corn.