Cycads of the World [Hardcover]

David L. Jones (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 187633469X | ISBN-13: 978-1876334697 | Publication Date: April 30, 2002 | Edition: 2nd

Cycads superficially resemble palms and are often misidentified as such. However, cycads are actually a unique assemblage of primitive plants that have been around for at least 250 million years. They have become highly sought after for gardens, both private and public, and their present status as endangered plants has engendered an upsurge of interest in their conservation. With Cycads of the World, David Jones has achieved that difficult task of writing a scientifically accurate text, which is both easy to read and to understand.

For this second edition David Jones has added information covering over 100 new species and subspecies of cycads, and updated his material on the 200 species from the first edition. Each entry includes a full description, distribution and habitat information, and a detailed cultivation and propagation guide. Over 360 color photographs plus many other illustrations and maps facilitate easy identification for all living species. This second edition of Cycads of the World makes a fine addition to the library of anyone interested in exotic plants, including gardeners, landscape architects, horticulturalists, botanists, and the curious reader alike.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is the best single reference for cycads that is available today.”—Audubon Naturalist News

“A handsome book, as valuable to the botanist as it is to the horticulturalist.”—Choice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David L. Jones is a professional horticulturalist and the author of many fine books, including Palms Throughout the World (Smithsonian, 1995). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: New Holland Publishing Australia Pty Ltd; 2nd edition (April 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187633469X
• ISBN-13: 978-1876334697
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,788,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating journey to plants of yesteryear., July 12, 2002

By 

Jerald R Lovell (Clinton Township, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CYCADS OF WORLD 1E (Hardcover)

Today's cycads are but relics of a worldwide population that flourished during the Mesozoic Era. Although superficially similar to palms, cycads are not flowering plants, and have a much more primitive structure. Many cycads have become inceasingly rare because of limited habitat and human encroachment. Only in recent years have people become aware of the great aesthetic value of cycads and incorporated them into gardens and lawns as useful, ornamental plants.

This book covers the worldwide variety of cycads in encyclopedic fashion. Beginning with a distribution map, the first half of the book introduces the history of cycads, their conservation and propagation, and their biology, structure, cultivation, and economic importance. Pests and diseases are also addressed.

The second half of the book addresses the different genera and species in turn, with an understandable, easily read text and good photos of each plant in its native state. The discussion covers plants in all areas of the tropics.

Anyone deciding to select a different form, or forms, of cycad cannot let this book go unread. Even if the reader lives in a climate where cycad cultivation is difficult or impossible, the book is an extremely interesting read about plants the dinosaurs lived near every day. Any person with an interest in botany will treasure ths book. I recommend it very highly.

NOTE: I am reviewing the 1993 edition. A revised edition is coming out in August, 2002. I will buy it immediately.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short but 'tasty', August 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: CYCADS OF WORLD 1E (Hardcover)

A very nice to read and study text, with plenty of pictures and drawings, undertandable also by someone like me that reads english only from time to time... I think it is a must for all of us loving cycads and relateds, with a lot to learn. More than only an introduction to all that beauty..

5.0 out of 5 stars Dave Cass comments on Cycads of the World, 2nd ed., November 22, 2011

By 

David D. Cass - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cycads of the World: Ancient Plants in Today's Landscape, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I am a professional plant biologist, having taught plant biology and done research on various aspects of plant development for 35 years at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. I used to teach a course on comparative morphology of vascular plants, including all of the living seed plants. I very much wish I had had access to DL Jones's books on cycads during my teaching career. Although I did a reasonable job with the basics of cycad biology, Jones gave me all sorts of things that my students would have found fascinating. The book is also very well illustrated.