Clemson University has begun an ambitious undertaking in natural history as the series title?Biota of South Carolina? indicates. This volume is the fifth in the series and the first to deal with plants. The first four volumes all deal with different groups of beetles of South Carolina and if they represent the detail found in the fifth volume about Rhynchospora, the beetles are well documented for South Carolina. The author of this volume, Patrick McMillan, is recognized as a leading expert on the genus Rhynchospora, and he has very skillfully organized his encyclopedic knowledge of this genus into what will become the standard reference for the?beaksedges? of the South Carolina and the eastern United States. This book is essential for anyone that has occasion to key a beaksedge to species but it so much more that just a key to species. It is almost everything you ever wanted to know about the Rhynchospora but were afraid to ask. The book actually answers questions that I did not know that I should be asking. The author has recently developed a television series in conjunction with Clemson University and South Carolina ETV about natural history called?Expeditions? in which he brings natural history to the interested public in such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable way that I can't understand why everyone is not studying to become a biologist. So it is not surprising that his book addressing such a specific area of plant systematics is not only interesting but very readable. - from BioOne Complete Review in Castanea, June 2008.

FNA presents for the first time, in one published reference source, information on the names, taxonomic relationships, continent-wide distributions, and morphological characteristics of all plants native and naturalized found in North America north of Mexico.

Abundantly illustrated with more than 400 color photographs and 200 detailed drawings, this comprehensive guide to the state's rare and endangered plants provides photographs and botanical illustrations in a single volume formatted for field use. More than 200 species are covered, including two dozen that are federally listed and 170-plus that are listed as Threatened, Endangered, Rare, or of Special Concern by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The guide is designed for easy, nontechnical identification of species in the field. Color photographs show the plants in their natural surroundings, and drawings emphasize the most distinctive parts of the plants. Packed with information about the plants as well as their habitats and management, the guide facilitates the quick recognition of rare species, encourages awareness of their distribution and ecological significance, and provides guidelines for ensuring their survival. Additional features include directions for using the guide, a map of Georgia's counties, descriptions of the natural communities of Georgia, references for further reading, a glossary of frequently used terms, and indexes of scientific and common plant names. The guide also includes a chapter by Jennifer Ceska and University of Georgia horticulture professor James Affolter, founding members of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, on horticultural requirements of rare species and the role of GPCA in their protection. This is a valuable resource for students, wildflower enthusiasts, botanists, land managers, and environmental decision makers. Each species account includes: one or more full-color photographs Georgia distribution map line drawing emphasizing such key field identification characters as leaf, stem, flower, and fruit scientific and common names legal and wetland status brief nontechnical description emphasizing key field identification characters flowering, fruiting, or sporulation period description of species habitat information on best survey season range-wide distribution Georgia conservation status management guidelines information on similar species and related rare species list of references

This book brings together information on the natural history, ecology and systematics of North American aquatic monocotyledons. The book is an overview of the biology of major aquatic species by compiling information from numerous sources that lie scattered among the primary literature, herbarium databases, and other reference sources. Information on more than 300 species in 87 genera of monocotyledons will be included. Recent phylogenetic analyses will be incorporated. Although focusing specifically on North America, the cosmopolitan distribution of many aquatic plants should make this an attractive text to people working virtually anywhere outside of the region as well. Key Selling Features: The primary source of natural history information on aquatic plants Comprehensive lists of ecological associates Synthetic overview of systematic relationships of aquatic species and genera Practical information for rare and invasive plant managers Essential guide to facilitate wetland delineation

A journal of plant systematics, phytogeography and vegetation ecology.

Also available online.