Customer Reviews

Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, Third Edition

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

 

 

The second edition (2002) has been much expanded (from 464 to 576 pages) and has been adjusted to keep up with the (headlong) developments in this field. It also includes more descriptions of families.

In some ways the book has not changed. The same illustrations were used giving it the same look. It remain an introductory book, that although set up along the lines of a systembook is only of limited use as such, since coverage is far from complete. The Appendix on "Botanical nomenclature" is still a soft spot. Not only is the (badly) erroneous bit on the naming of cultivated plants still there, but the slanted view of the ICBN has worsened (the ICBN even being called "Linnaean"!) and the PhyloCode is plugged.

However this remains the foremost textbook for those wanting a start in plant taxonomy, a field that is changing ever more rapidly.

The third edition (2007) is expanded yet again (to 612p). The most noticeable changes are the introduction of color, and a different, thinner kind of paper for the pages. Although it has more pages, the third edition is slimmer than the second. The printing quality of the (newly introduced) color photographs is quite decent, probably better than in the book by Simpson, although that has more photographs. In addition color is used to support the text and the occasional diagram, making this a brighter-looking book than the second edition.

The system followed is based on APG II (2003), while the second edition was close to APG I (1998) and included such families as Cecropiaceae and Celtidaceae, which now are out. A change from APG II is in the clade names such as fabids (instead of eurosids I) and campanulids (instead of euasterids I) which certainly is more user friendly.

Nevertheless, there is a strong continuity with the second edition, using the same line drawings as the main illustrations and with much of the text essentially the same.

The listing on Amazon specified "with CDROM" which implied that it was the 3rd edition. Instead a 2nd edition was delivered which included no CDROM. Moreover, all illustrations are black and white line drawings with a few B&W photos of people. The CD would have made all the difference.

That, s so good and useful for getting basic information on Plant Systematics and to some extent Botany. When I bought it, two chapters was studied first and was updated compeletly with scientific papers and so on than second edition. I suppose this book to students.

Item arrived quickly and just as described. I would highly recommend buying from this seller!