Plants are an advantageous group for the consideration of the development of biological form. Plants share most aspects of cell biology with other organisms, yet their embryonic development continues throughout their life, their cells do not move relative to each other and their structure is relatively simple. The chapters in this book are centred around the structure of tissues and its purpose is to try and predict what should be looked for at a molecular level so as to account for observable forms. Each chapter deals with a defined problem such as the role of hormones as correlative agents, tissue polarization, apical meristems and cell lineages. The final chapter develops an alternative approach to the problem of the specification of biological form, that of 'epigenetic selection'. The chapters are centred around the structure of tissues, an intermediate and neglected level between overt morphology and biochemistry, and will be of great interest to all those engaged in attempting to understand the principles behind plant development.

"...unusual and refreshing in the way it looks at plants as organised, interacting systems....This is a book of concepts, ideas, and illustrations. Sometimes the author may lead us on to unfamiliar ground and we need to concentrate, but it is worth re-reading any difficult bits to come see the plantscape from the author's perspective instead of our usual view of looking up from the cell or down from the animal." Times Higher Education Supplement

"I want to persuade all plant biologists interested in pattern formation to read these essays....an excellent introduction to plant and cell culture and an effective explanation of why the subject is and will continue to be of interest to plant biologists, medical personnel, pharmacists, chemists, environmentalists, and chemical engineers." J. E. Varner, BioScience

"...an important book in the evolution of our understanding of plant morphogenesis. As stated earlier, this book presents a personal view of developmental processes in plants. It is open and insightful. For this openness I, for one, offer my most sincere thanks; my understanding of patterning processes in plants has been expanded by reading this book." Michael W. Folsom, Plant Science Bulletin

"...will clearly be a good resource for those interested in plant development, and the epigenetic hypothesis is worth critical examination with molecular and genetic approaches." June Medford, Cell

"The laudable thing about Sach's book is that it is an attempt to arrive at a synthesis of the various known aspects of pattern formation in plants." Clive Lloyd, British Society for Cell Biology Newsletter

"The success of Sach's book lies with its rigorous cataloguing of many of the concepts, experiments and conclusions that since the war have combined to shape the modern subject of plant development. The primary literature on this subject is lengthy and in many cases verbose, and Sachs does a good job in distilling it." Roger Pennell, BioEssays