Customer Reviews

Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States (4 Vol. Set)

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This massive 4 volume set was created from 1923 through 1960. It is well laid out listing the species under each family classification. The species are then listed in an "outline" format. The plants are listed by their scientific names with the common names also shown. Abrams is often quite specific in listing localities for finding many of the rarer plants.

One of its strong points is the many fine line drawings which accompany most of the descriptions. The volumes are well bound and finely printed. The cost is not excessive, as the quality is excellent. (In reference the the 4 volume Stanford University publication).

The primary flaw with this work is it is a bit dated. Several new classifications have emerged since Abram's day, and a newer work should supplement this work. An example is the classification of Lilium Vollermi, which is now considered to be a sub-species of Lilium Pardalinum. (Though the whorled leaves of L. Vollermi gives it a nice distinction!).

Still this work is a vast and useful resource, an essential tool for the professional field botanist.

This is the definitive work on Pacific States Flora, top notch illustrations, well origanized in 4 volumes, clear precise descriptions, no serious library can be complete without this exaustive work.