Darwin Reviews
The Journal of Experimental Botany publishes primary research papers and high-quality reviews on topics across the plant sciences. During 2009 each issue will also carry a series of special reviews to celebrate the year as both bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and 150 years since the publication of his seminal work 'On the origin of species'. Most biologists will be familiar with the theory of Darwinian evolution and will associate it with pictures of Galapagos finches and sea iguanas. Most plant biologists will also recall his work on phototropism and his detailed records of grass coleoptiles bending towards his window. Fewer will be aware of the quantity of his other studies on plants, the depth and detail of his records and the long period over which he continued to publish on aspects of our subject. Gratifyingly, his works are available for everyone to appreciate free of charge at http://darwin-online.org.uk.
The JXB Darwin series will present modern, contemporary reviews from leading researchers chosen to reflect Charles Darwin's wide range of interests in plant biology. Authors will write on the state of their art today and they will choose whether or not Darwin's work will be reflected in what they write and on how, or if, his scientific legacies colour how their research proceeds today. This should be an exciting and varied collection adding to the regular review collections, opinion articles and commissioned reviews in the journal. I hope you enjoy seeking out the Darwin reviews and that they inspire everyone to explore plant biology with the vigour that Darwin himself displayed.
Richard Napier, Reviews Editor
Some of the major publications by Charles Darwin
The voyage of the Beagle: Journal and Remarks (1839)
On the origin of species (1859)
The movements and habits of climbing plants (1865)
The variation of animals and plants under domestication (1868)
Insectivorous plants (1875)
The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex (1871)
The effects of cross and self-fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom (1876)
The different forms of flowers on plants of the same species (1877)
The power of movement in plants (1880)
The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms (1881)