The reason for flowers : their history, culture, biology, and how they change our lives / Stephen Buchmann.

Includes bibliographical references.

Will trade food for sex -- First flowers and their ancestors -- The go-betweens -- Pleasure gardens ancient and modern -- Flowers for eternity, and appeasing the gods -- Best of show -- Arriving by jumbo jet -- From the kitchen to your plate -- A little dab behind the ear -- The secret language of flowers -- Flowers on the page -- Flower power: the meaning of flowers in art -- The flower and the scientist -- Good for what ails us?