Synopses & Reviews
In Volume 2, over 50 contributors exhaustively describe and classify the ferns, fern allies, and gymnosperms of North America. Covering over two dozen fern and half a dozen gymnosperm families, they survey fern species of both ecological and horticultural importance and review such gymnosperm taxa as the conifers--the dominant trees in many forests as well as important timber plants--and cycads, which display significant evolutionary features. In all, the volume assembles 509 species of ferns and fern allies and infraspecific taxa in 70 genera. The editors have revised nearly 80 of these taxa to reflect classification changes since publication of the last standard work on ferns in North America. The gymnosperm treatments encompass 118 species in 22 genera. Identification keys, summaries of habitats and geographic ranges, pertinent synonymies, descriptions, chromosome numbers, and all other significant details are provided. More than 600 distribution maps and 65 illustration plates appear throughout.
Review
"The second volume of this flora represents a monumental achievement....This volume does everything that a flora should - and more; a high quality of scholarship is evident throughout....Even more important is the degree to which recent systematic investigations are reflected in the treatments....This volume has set a high standard; it will serve as an excellent model for later volumes....The real 'review' of a flora comes in putting it to use, and I am looking forward to using this one! I recommend it whole-heartedly." --Walter S. Jedd, Economic Botany, published by The Society for Economic Botany by The New York Botanical Garden
"I recommend this volume of the Flora to all interested parties." --Michael T. Stieber, The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, IL, Science Books and Films
"Volume 2 of The Flora of North America is the first to provide a floristic treatment, here including ferns and fern allies, as well as the gymnosperms....For the quality of the information, and the quality of the book itself - paper, binding, feel in the hands - the asking price is a small amount to pay for this major publishing event."--Botanical and Herb Reviews
"No botanical library will be complete without the Flora of North America, and I eagerly await the appearance of future volumes."--Madroño
"An essential reference for botanists, professional or amateur, naturalists and anyone with a very serious interest in North American plants. Most highly recommended."--Wildlife Activist
Table of Contents
Introduction,
Nancy R. MorinPTERIDOPHYTES
Key Pteridophyte Families
PSILOTOPHYTA
Psilotaceae
LYCOPODIOPHYTA
Lycopodiaceae
Selaginellaceae
Isoetaceae
EQUISETOPHYTA
Equisetaceae
POLYPODIOPHYTA
Ophioglossaceae
Osmundaceae
Gleicheniaceae
Schizaeaceae
Lygodiaceae
Anemiaceae
Parkeriaceae
Pteridaceae
Vittariaceae
Hymenophyllaceae
Dennstaedtiaceae
Thelypteridaceae
Blechnaceae
Aspleniaceae
Dryopteridaceae
Grammitidaceae
Polypodiaceae
Marsileaceae
Salviniaceae
Azollaceae
GYNNOSPERMS
Key to Gymnosperm Families
CYCADOPHYTA
Zamiaceae
GINKGOPHYTA
Ginkgoaceae
CONIFEROPHYTA
Pinaceae
Cupressaceae
Taxaceae
GNETOPHYTA
Ephedraceae
Literature cited
Index