Includes bibliographical references (page 31) and index.

A green world -- Leaves on flowering plants -- Food factories -- Try this! -- Water out, water in -- Seed leaves and new leaves -- Leaf shapes -- Leaves around the stem -- Try this! -- Leaves in winter -- Special leaves -- Leaves around the world -- Leaves and us.

"Leaves carry out a vital job for all flowering plants, they enable plants to make food. This book provides readers with a complete and comprehensive understanding of the role of leaves, their structure and how they are brilliantly designed to do this job. Clear diagrams, engaging text, and stunning photographs are used to explain what leaves are for, photosynthesis and how leaves work, the role they play in the movement of water around the plant, how shapes and styles of leaves vary, and why leaves are so important to us. A wide range of examples present readers with leaves they will be familiar with plus spectacular and unusual examples from around the world. These demonstrate what leaves have in common and some incredible adaptations that allow plants to survive in different conditions and habitats. Two simple experiments help stimulate thought, reinforce learning, and bring the concepts to life."-- Provided by publisher.