The Cycads [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Loran M. Whitelock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2002

Few other plants, with the possible exception of palms, can rival cycads for variety of foliage, size, and form. In spite of such diversity, however, cycads represent an ancient lineage whose fossil history extends over 200 million years. Cycads are tough and durable, not only as survivors but also as ornamental plants of great intrinsic interest. Yet cycads in the wild are all endangered. Whitelock has spent decades studying cycads in their natural habitats around the world and in cultivation. Through his efforts, a well-documented program of propagation has made an increasing variety of cycads available to those who wish to grow and know more about them.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As a group, cycads count among the most architectural of plants for gardens, including many species resembling palms. Whitelock's study merits special attention because cycads--an ancient cone-bearing family of plants--are endangered in the wild. Delving into the book promises to increase a gardener's knowledge of the care and cultivation of intriguing specimens distinguished by spiky leaves and dramatic forms, and will help to differentiate species that are cold tolerant and can be grown in temperate conditions from those better suited to subtropical regions. The book's propagation advice should help ensure the conservation of these plants for future generations, while a comprehensive encyclopedia of species offers detailed information to specialists and serious green thumbs. The plant entries overall make up an invaluable resource to generalists, as well, with facts on sun and shade requirements, and traits such as a plant's mature size. A final listing indicates a range of characteristics to help in selecting plants for landscaping and garden design. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Loran Whitelock's decades of study of this tropical plant will have much to do with its future ... [His] research will be of value to general readers as well as botanists, landscape architects, and commercial growers."—Nancy Moulton, Bloomsbury Review, March 2003 (Nancy Moulton Bloomsbury Review )

"[The Cycads] provides gardeners with much useful information."—Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, January 2003 (Joanne S. Carpender National Gardener )

"An important resource work ... a very valuable, comprehensive, and readable contribution, which should be in every botany collection."—L. G. Kavaljian, Choice, November 2002 (L. G. Kavaljian Choice )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 532 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; First Edition edition (May 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881925225
• ISBN-13: 978-0881925227
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the price., July 10, 2002

By 

"times-gone-by" (Carpinteria, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cycads (Hardcover)

This book on cycads is very informative without being to technical. It is an outstanding source of information for all who have an interest in cycads. I feel I received value that exceeded the price paid.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cycad "Bible", May 18, 2002

By 

R. Buckley (Trabuco Canyon, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cycads (Hardcover)

This book will prove invaluable to anyone who has ever brought a single cycad into their garden on impulse and years later found themselves with a small "forest" of these rare and fascinating ornamental plants. Written for all of us, Loren Whitelock has devoted his life to the study and cultivation of these contemporaries of the dinosaurs and the photo section is rich with shots of cycads in their natural habitat. The cultivation and propagation sections are based on years of actual experience growing cycads, but it is in the detailed species descriptions that "The Cycads" excels. Excellent line drawings by Geoff Stein accent many of the pages, but you'll find yourself wishing that there were more. If you garden and you've gotten "hooked" on cycads, this is the book to buy.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Cycad Reference, May 24, 2002

By 

Zone 10A (California, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cycads (Hardcover)

Loran Whitelock has put a lifetime of cycad knowledge and experience in this book. Its excellent photographs give both views of mature plants and close ups of leaf detail that help readers distinguish among similar species. In addition to detailed physical descriptions of all of the recognized cycads and subspecies, Whitelock gives invaluable information on habitat, geographical distribution, conservation status and horticultural characteristics. This book will be the standard reference for cycad gardeners and admirers for many years.