Customer Reviews

The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent book covering thousands of species of flowering plants of California. The book does contain a brief introduction to keying plants and a glossary of plant terms, but despite these features, I believe that the beginner would find this book difficult to use. It's size and complexity can be intimidating, and without color pictures (which aren't always accurate, but helpful for the beginner) it can be a frustrating experience for the novice.

This book is an excellent botanical key listing a huge number of plants. It is not your average "audubon" guide, since it requires you to key out the plant in question using botanical systematics. Definitely a good reference book, but hard to use casually to find out what that tree is in your front yard!

This is an excellent guide. Very comprehensive, however you must have formal education in botany and plant ID in order to effectively use the guide to key plants to genus and or species. Not recommended for the average person. Just people who are plant nerds!

This book is my bible. My only complaint is that the Poaceae section isn't that great. It's also difficult to take into the field, but doable.

This is the bible of California Natives. I have used it extensivly over the last 4 months with my native plant class. While the nomenclature and descriptions require upper division collegiate level command of English, the descriptions are excellent and the information is authoritative. There is an excellent section describing the various vegetation types and regions around the state. Do not expect a book with a lot of pretty pictures, this book is not that type - in fact the plants are pictured in line drawings (very well rendered by the way). It is organized by Family, so that the pines, firs, hemlocks, etc are in the same section of the book under Pinaceae. It is large and heavy - too large to take on a hike in the woods - unless you are looking for a good workout. It works best if used as a reference once you know the name of the plant. Also works well with online sources that refer to the Jepson Project - such as the USDA site. Highly recommended.

This former 1993 South Pasadena Public Library copy of The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California is a real gem for my personal biology library. It arrived in a timely manner(in time for my plant taxonomy class) and it doesn't look as though it's been opened. Gotta love the Natuaral Vegetation of California distribution map that was still inside it! THANKS!

If you are buying this book, you are probably a botanist or a student taking a botany course in California. The keys work pretty well, my professor wrote several sections in this book, so he has been able to teach us how to use the book. One of my complaints is the thickness of the pages. The older editions use thinner paper, making it lighter and smaller. This book adds about 2 square feet and 45 pounds to my backpack when I bring it to class.

There is no easy way to identify a plant to species, but if it is in California it is far easier to use this volume than the others. Although it was written in 1925, the line drawings are for me priceless. Be advised that names change in 75 years even if plants do not, you will need a modern flora to reference the old name. HIGHLY recommended, but technical.

I really haven't had a chance to read this book, but what I've seen so far it is very informative. I work for USDA FOREST SERVICE and this book is here at work. The problem is I would like to have one of my own, so I'm now in the process of looking for it at our book store in town. If they do not have it, possibly they could order it for me. If not I will travel to the next larger town to accomplish my mission. I will get this book one way or another.