Thorns or Petals

The book’s strength lies in its integrated approach. For instance, it contrasts the acacia tree’s ant-attracting nectar with its thorny defenses, showing how survival hinges on both resistance and cooperation. Similarly, carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap lure insects with sweet secretions before deploying rapid traps. These examples, paired with insights from CRISPR-edited crops and fossilized flowers, highlight plants’ adaptability. Structured in three sections, the narrative moves from defensive adaptations to attraction mechanisms, culminating in how climate change disrupts these strategies. Unlike texts that separate defense and attraction, Thorns or Petals frames them as two sides of the same coin, using accessible analogies like “biological arms races” to demystify complex concepts.

Written for gardeners, ecologists, and curious readers, the book blends scientific rigor with engaging storytelling. It bridges disciplines—from biochemistry to robotics—and offers practical applications, such as designing pollinator-friendly gardens. By framing plants as active participants in their survival, it challenges readers to see every petal and thorn as a testament to evolution’s ingenuity—and a reminder to safeguard our planet’s delicate ecological web.