Theophrastus' great botanical encyclopaedia across nine books. The Enquiry into Plants provides the first systematic classification of the plant kingdom — trees, shrubs, herbs, and cereals — describing their forms, habitats, cultivation, and uses with unmatched empirical thoroughness.
Start ReadingThe classification of plants. Theophrastus establishes the fundamental categories — trees, shrubs, under-shrubs, and herbs — and describes their parts: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits.
Wild and cultivated trees. Theophrastus examines the propagation of trees — from seeds, cuttings, roots, and grafts — and the differences between wild and cultivated varieties.
Wild trees continued, including conifers and evergreens. Theophrastus describes the forests of different regions and the distinctive species found in each.
Trees of specific regions — Syria, Egypt, Libya, India. Theophrastus catalogues the exotic species reported by the companions of Alexander the Great, including date palms, fig trees, and the cotton plant.
The timber of trees. Theophrastus examines the wood of different species — its grain, hardness, durability, and suitability for shipbuilding, construction, and woodworking.
Under-shrubs and shrubs. Theophrastus describes smaller woody plants including brambles, medicinal shrubs, and the plants used for garlands and perfumes.
Herbaceous plants — pot-herbs, vegetables, and wild herbs. Theophrastus examines their cultivation, seasonal patterns, and practical uses in diet and medicine.
Cereals, pulses, and summer crops. Theophrastus provides detailed accounts of wheat, barley, beans, and other staple crops — their varieties, cultivation, diseases, and harvesting.
Plant juices, gums, and medicinal properties. The final book examines the pharmacological uses of plants — roots, herbs, and their preparations used in ancient medicine.