He knew plants intimately: what survived in a dry wind, what needed the shade of the jungle.

"I know plants when I see them."

"You have to know plants and know garden design to truly appreciate them."

"Botanical garden staffs have to know plants on the one hand and like people on the other," he said.

He'd never known plants to grow so fast and luxuriantly.

The best way to know plants, as any gardener knows, is to try to draw one.

Melville also compiled the world's first Red Data Book, published in 1970, listing all known threatened plants.

"Not clever, you know me and plants," said the girl, but her cheeks were flushed with reaction to the praise.

Father, you know the local and imported plants here, so you're the one who says what's edible and what's not.

She knew different plants and what you could eat and all that kind of thing.