Theophrastus on geophytes |
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Authors: | MOSHE NEGBI FLS |
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Institution: | Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovoth, 76 100, Israel |
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Abstract: | NEGBI, M., 1989. Theophrastus on geophytes . The nature of the geophilous organs of the geophytes described by Theophrastus (371-287 B.C.) in Historia Planiarum and De Causis Planlarum is presented and discussed. Most of the geophytes and the hydrogeophytes mentioned in these books (excluding species of Allium , biennial vegetables, and a few others) are critically reviewed. Certain lost agricultural practices mentioned by Theophrastus are strengthened and made explicable by comparisons from Pliny's Natural History , and Hebrew literature of the first centuries A.D.: Mishnah and Talmud. Theophrastus's interest in plants is shown to be of a pure nature although most of his examples are cultivated or otherwise useful plants. The possible sources of his knowledge of Egyptian plants are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Corms geophilous organs history of botany hydro-geophytes Pliny rhizomes tuberous roots tubers |
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