Customer Reviews

Encyclopaedia of Ferns

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every field of study has its own "bible" and I believe this book is the must-have tome for fern-lovers. The botany presented in the structure and life history sections is sound and well presented. The care - and particularly the propagation - section is tremendous ... the most thorough treatment I've seen. The back half of the book is an encyclopedic account of species rife with color photos. Tropical and temperate ferns are trated equally without bias toward the temperate gardener or indoor collector.

The only area not covered in exacting detail is classification and phylogeny, but since there is little scientific concensus in these areas, the short shrift is forgiveable.

The bibliography is outstanding. Jones did his homework! There are a couple hundred references there to fascilitate further, more narrow research.

If you're a fern-lover, you could live without this book...but why would you want to?

If you're a fern enthusiast, you cannot have a better consult book than this one. LOTS of valuable information (the chapters on propagation and cultivation are just wonderful) and color pics describing an impressive range of ferns, from tropical to temperate. I got this book since years, and I browse it every now and then... A MUST.

I have read every good and scholarly book on ferns; many of
them are very good.

This book however, included more of the rare and tropical
type ferns that I grow. There is a good fern book that
mentions some of them but has no practical advice on culture.
Encyclopaedia of Ferns includes entire chapters to cultural
methods, as well as potting media, and display. To include
epiphytic ferns as well as terrestrial. Priceless for me as
a great many of mine are epiphytic.

I have read just about every book on ferns, but this is the
only one I own. For good reason. I couldn't be without it.

Text is endless, recommendations are good. But pictures are not enough, sorry. I was trying toidentify my weird South African ferns and alas. For those who must have an illustration for every description - not really suited. Deep botany for real ferns crazydos - yes.