Plant species which can accumulate high concentrations of heavy metals have been known for over 100 years. However, until the last 20 years their potential went largely unnoticed by scientists. The term hyperaccumulation was first introduced by the author (and colleagues) in 1977. This renewed interest, together with environmental awareness and the discovery of the phenomenon in many more species has since stimulated research into a number of novel scientific and commercial uses. This text brings together in one volume all the relevant ecological information on hyperaccumulators and describes the disciplines, methods and uses for them which continue to be explored. These include the removal of heavy metal pollutants from soils and waters (phytoremediation), the identification of ancient human settlements (phytoarchaeology), mineral exploration, the revegetation of degraded land and the exciting possibility of the commercial extraction of heavy metals from crop plants (phytomining). The book is suitable for plant ecologists and physiologists who have an interest in hyperaccumulators, environmental consultants specializing in land restoration, and exploration geochemists. It also should be of interest to professionals, lectures and advanced students in environmental science, geology and soil science.