The New Phytologist Trust is launching a new journal, Plants, People, Planet. It’s been exciting to be involved in the conception, gestation and imminent birth of our new baby, and particularly gratifying to have been invited to join the formidable board of Strategic Advisers to the journal. The objective of Plants, People, Planet is to offer a platform for…
Continue readingThe War Between Trees and Grasses
My new book will be published next week (around 18 October). Here’s the blurb: There is a co-evolutionary bond between trees, grasses and people which has its origins in the earliest era of life on land. This book traces the history of this edgy relationship, revealing its decisive role in the physiological, psychological and social…
Continue readingOn plant growth and form
Helen Ougham and I recently published an article with this title in a special issue of New Phytologist on Plant developmental evolution. Our paper is a commentary on a very nice study in the journal by Runions et al. in which computational methods were used to generate a wide range of virtual leaf morphologies. This…
Continue readingEverything you need to know about human-plant coevolution in 618 words
Nature Ecology & Evolution has published my response to a paper by Olivia Judson on energy and evolution. My commentary serves as a useful summary of the core argument in my forthcoming book The War Between Trees and Grasses.
Continue readingOut to grass
Two nice grass-related events happened today. I appeared on a BBC Radio 4 Natural History programme this morning, talking about evolution of plants and humans. It will be available for a while as a podcast. My son happened to hear the show in the car and didn’t recognise his own father’s voice, which he thought…
Continue readingBrockham 15 July 2017
Nance Wilson (vox), backstage with with Malcolm Dunleavy (drums), David Ward (guitar), Michael Coughlin (bass) and me.
Continue readingTwo new posts about the literary and scientific history of food
I’ve recently made two new additions to Harvests at the Brink, concerning a workshop talk by Richard and our latest publication: J E Archer, H Thomas, R Marggraf Turley. 2017. The millers’ tales: sustainability, the arts and the watermill. In: Literature and Sustainability. Concept, Text and Culture (eds A Johns-Putra, J Parham, L Squire) pp 13-32. Manchester: University Press.
Continue readingPlant pigments
Helen Ougham and I are co-authors on a paper about the colours of plants, to be published in the Welsh language science journal Gwerddon: Y ddeilen hon: natur, gwreiddiau a dibenion lliwiau dail Y mae cyflwr yr amgylchedd a threigl amser yn cael eu hadlewyrchu yn lliwiau newidiol y planhigion sydd o’n cwmpas. Y mae cloroffyl,…
Continue readingClarinet redux
Beginning with Nance Wilson’s Popup Jazzclub last November, I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to return to my roots and renew my ambivalent relationship with the squawking twig. I’ve been fortunate to record with the group led by David Ward (guitar) that includes Michaei Coughlin (bass), either Tony Bevan or Richard Nash (drums) and Nance Wilson or…
Continue readingNance Wilson’s Popup Jazz Club
A good time was had by all at the Rushden (Herts) jazz celebration on 19 November. Many musicians, much food, appreciative audience, memorable music. For me, the high point was a set on clarinet with David Ward’s trio (David on guitar, Michael Coughlin on bass, Tony Bevan on drums) and Nance on vocal duty. Here are…
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