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The Book of Plants - 9th Century
by Meam Wye
Al-dinawai's full name was Abu Hanifah Ahmad ibn Dawud Dinawari and he was born in Dinawar (Iran) in AD 820. He was a Muslim polymath with expertise in Botany, Astronomy, Mathematics, Mechanics, Philosophy, Poetry, Geography and History.
Al-dinawari wrote more than sixteen books on various subjects. The 'Book of Plants' was originally a six volume book but only the third, fifth and sixth (partial)volumes have survived. The book discusses more than 637 varieties of plants, their categorization, evolution stages, medical and physiological properties.
Al-Dinawari is regarded as the 'Father of Arabic Botany' due to his work presented in this book.
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November 13, 2009 5:34 AM
An interesting post,as a plantsman I would be interested to read the surviving volumes.Are they available in English do you know?
November 13, 2009 7:16 AM
A 1953 publication by Lundequistska bokhandeln might be available in some of the libraries. New editions are not being published.
November 14, 2009 3:09 AM
That sure is interesting.. I remember my late grandfather owning a book about herbal plants.^^
November 14, 2009 3:10 PM
I haven't heard of botany before, but I figure it has to do with plants. I can't believe someone would have interest in writing that many books on plants!
November 16, 2009 6:59 AM
@Sashindoubutsu: Hmmmmm .... the kind of boring books that grandchildren never bother to read (generally) ;)
November 16, 2009 7:04 AM
@Frank: Isn't it great that the brains of us human beings work so differently and thus we get quite a variety in our quest for knowledge :)
November 28, 2009 11:56 AM
Wow, that is impressive. I'm passing your article on to our son, who is fascinated with botany and botanical evolution.