The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual [Hardcover]

Ann Fowler Rhoads (Author), Timothy A. Block (Author), Anna Anisko (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

Pennsylvania, a state of diverse geography and geology, is rich in flora. The Plants of Pennsylvania provides a means of positively identifying the more than 3,000 species of flowering plants, ferns, and gymnosperms native or naturalized in the Commonwealth. The manual includes keys to families, genera, and species; extensive diagnostic illustrations; scientific and common names; and data on distribution ranges, relative frequency, rare and endangered species, blooming and fruiting periods; taxonomic notes; and an illustrated glossary.

The information meticulously reflects the plants as represented in Pennsylvania and is derived from specimens collected within the state.

Developed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Flora Database project and compiled by botanists at the Morris Arboretum, the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The Plants of Pennsylvania is an authoritative, accessible guide to Pennsylvania's plant life. It will be indispensable to taxonomists, conservationists, ecologists, foresters, land planners, teachers, agricultural county agents, students, and amateur naturalists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finally, an illustrated guide to the flora of Pennsylvania written by highly respected authorities! A highly technical but user-friendly manual; every serious amateur and professional naturalist in Pennsylvania will want a copy."—Larry J. Schweiger, President, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, commenting on the first edition

"Indispensable. . . . It covers all of Pennsylvania's vascular plants. . . . In addition to its usefulness in teaching, this book is a vital research tool. . . . Gardeners, amateur botanists, and naturalists will find The Plants of Pennsylvania to be practical, accessible, and a joy to use."—Rhodora

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

At the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Ann Fowler Rhoads is Senior Scientist of the Pennsylvania Flora Project, Timothy A. Block is Director of Botany, and Anna Anisko is Botanical Illustrator. They are coauthors and illustrator of The Trees of Pennsylvania: A Complete Reference Guide, also available from the University of Pennsylvania Press. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1040 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812235355
• ISBN-13: 978-0812235357
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,489,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard-core Taxonomy, April 30, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual (Hardcover)

Plants of Pennsylvania is an exhaustive taxonomy of the fauna of the keystone state. Both native and introduced species are included. It is not light reading, but as a reference it is excellent.

The cover artwork is not representative of the text, which contains only line drawings of good quality. The book is well indexed, by both scientific and common names, and probably is the best entrance point for most readers. I found the glossary particularly helpful. It has illustrations and definitions of hundreds of mostly obscure botanical terms that a few of us forgot and most of us never learned.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For serious plant enthusiasts, November 15, 2010

By 

Shane Miller - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual (Hardcover)

The Plants of Pennsylvania is not a beginners book for plant identification of Pennsylvania Flora, but with a little hard work and another book called Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary anyone who can use Newcomb's Wildflower Guide can use The Plants of Pennsylvania. To use this book, you need to understand how to use dichotomous key and have a basic understanding of botanical identification terminology or use the book Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary with it. If you are serious about plant identification and correctly identifying native and non-native plants in and around Pennsylvania, you need to use this book, or spend a few hundred dollars buying the botanical series called Flora of North America. The Plants of Pennsylvania is far superior and more comprehensive than those field guides with the line drawing and color pictures once you learn how to use it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, December 19, 2011

By 

Colleen (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual (Hardcover)

The item arrived on time, as described. It was wrapped and was packaged well. I would buy from this vender again. Waiting for spring so I can use it.