"Kingdom of Plants: A Journey Through Their Evolution" - new book by Will Benson

I have already written here a few times about that "Kingdom of Plants 3D" three episode series narrated and written by well reputed Sir David Attenborough, which mainly is about Kew Gardens in the UK and the evolution of plants. The series was produced by Atlantic Productions for SKY 3D TV and directed by Martin Williams and from what I heard will later also be shown in some IMAX theaters. Sir David Attenborough is the presenter and guide through the episodes. Now Will Benson, one of the staff members at the time of production, has written this wonderful book about it.

It is 256 pages, 3 pounds heavy (also also available in electronic form) and it includes four pages about insect and animal UV vision and two pages have some of my images in it from that 3D film. Here is one of it, showing a Rudbeckia hirta in visible and UV light:
[click on any image to see it larger]


and here for the experienced 3D crosseye viewer, the stereo version:


(quote - from amazon)
This book accompanies the landmark television series Kingdom of Plants 3D: With David Attenborough. In the last 500 million years, plants have undertaken an epic journey that has not only spanned the ages but has altered the very make-up of the planet. It was a journey that began in a dark and barren world, and has culminated in a planet that is draped in rich colours, and overflowing with a diversity of mystifying orchids, exploding seed pods and snapping carnivorous plants. But plants are far more than just beautiful and bizarre. Through the chapters of this book we uncover how plants first began to live on land, how they have become linked with a multitude of animal and fungi partners, and how ultimately they have shaped both landscapes and cultures. With an introduction by Professor Stephen Hopper, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, as well as contributions from leading botanists and horticulturists, this book unpicks the strands of our planet's network of botanical life. Through its pages we reveal the extraordinary ways in which plants have come to live and thrive in all habitats, and we discover how they can provide us with answers to many of the problems that face humanity in our modern age.(unquote)

Kingdom of Plants Site
Here is more about the book on the publisher site:
Kingdom of Plants at HarperCollins
Available now in printed or electronic form also from
amazon (US) or from amazon (UK) amazon (UK)

Front Page:

(c) HarperCollins

A wonderful book, not just for the coffee table. I'm sure you'll like it as much as I do!

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos

"Kingdom of Plants" Sir David Attenborough on "Solving the Secrets" in Insect UV Vision (3)

I had reported earlier about that here, but now Kew Gardens has a preview video online on youtube about the forthcoming SKY 3D series "Kingdom of Plants" with Sir David Attenborough on Kew Gardens in 3D stereo as well as an overview on their site including an interview with Sir David.

((quote Sir David from an interview)) Attenborough: Kingdom of Plants 3D. "We wanted to use 3D in time-lapse, so that the plants move," he says. "They look sensational. They always do -- but in 3D, they look absolutely mind-blowing." ((unquote))

The following is a clip from Episode II "Solving the Secrets", that will air Saturday June 2, 2012 at 6pm GMT (7pm CET) on SKY 3D and on SKY ATLANTIC in HD and which I have provided the VIS + UV + UV induced visible fluorescence photography for. Watch from 13.00 onwards about it.


Reference: Kingdom of Plants on imdb

The DVD/BlueRay will be available from July 16, 2012 onwards and may already be preordered at amazon here as DVD and here as Blue Ray (HD) version

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos

[UV] Mirabilis jalapa UV ultraviolet fluorescence - from "Kingdom of Plants"

Today about some earlier work I have done on Mirabilis jalapa flowers, that have some very special abilities - their pollens and flower petals are fluorescent when seen under ultraviolet light. This may also bee seen in the forthcoming new series about Kew Gardens by Sir David Attenborough called "Kingdom of Plants 3D".

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visible light:


UV induced visible fluorescence:


Mirabilis' pollen emits a strong blue greenish fluorescent light and some scientists believe that the special night active moths that pollinate them, might be able to see this.

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos

"Kingdom of Plants" Sir David Attenborough on Kew Gardens in 3D stereo (2)

I had reported earlier about that here, but now Kew Gardens has a preview video online on youtube about the forthcoming SKY 3D series "Kingdom of Plants" with Sir David Attenborough on Kew Gardens in 3D stereo as well as an overview on their site including an interview with Sir David.

((quote Sir David from an interview)) Attenborough: Kingdom of Plants 3D. "We wanted to use 3D in time-lapse, so that the plants move," he says. "They look sensational. They always do -- but in 3D, they look absolutely mind-blowing." ((unquote))

Have a look at what happens at 15:28 seconds onwards.... Mirabilis in UV stimulated visible fluorescence. But I am not allowed to say who shot this (LOL)....

According to imdb it will be released May, 2012

Reference: Kingdom of Plants on imdb

The DVD/BlueRay will be available from July 16, 2012 onwards and may already be preordered at amazon here as DVD and here as Blue Ray (HD) version

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos

"Kingdom of Plants" Sir David Attenborough on Kew Gardens in 3D stereo

There will be a new forthcoming three episode series airing in Spring 2012 narrated and written by Sir David Attenborough, which mainly is about Kew Gardens in the UK (working title was "Kew 3D"). It was produced by Atlantic Productions (Colossus Productions) for SKY 3D TV and directed by Martin Williams. Sir David Attenborough will be the presenter and guide through the episodes.

It has been filmed in HDTV 3D stereo mainly intended to be aired in SKY's 3D channel.

According to imdb it will be released in May 2012


Reference: Kingdom of Plants on imdb

The DVD/BlueRay will be available from July 16, 2012 onwards and may already be preordered at amazon here as DVD and here as Blue Ray (HD) version

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos