Customer Reviews

Mosses and Other Bryophytes: An Illustrated Glossary

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With absolutely stunning photographs and accurate definitions, this book is a landmark in publishing. The authors have created an illustrated dictionary using state-of-the-art imaging techniques. The nearly 1000 color pictures, the majority photomicrographs, are crisply reproduced. The book's strength is in presentation of details of cellular structure, so important for identifying mosses and their ilk. This book will be useful for years to come. This is not a book for the beginner; without solid training in general botany it is likely to be overwhelming, if not impenetrable. This is a reference book, not a text. For the beginning student of mosses, however, it can be a stepping stone to mastering this fascinating group of land plants. The only caution is for northern hemisphere botanists: almost all the subjects are drawn from the flora of New Zealand. Although the images might illustrate a term well, a North American reader will never encounter most of the species depicted.

This is a highly technical book. Brush up on your latin before you purchase it. Illustrations range from a few side views of whole clumps to individual plant photos. If you are interested in the molecular structure, this book is for you.