Plants of the Rocky Mountains [Paperback]

Linda J. Kershaw (Author), Jim Pojar (Author), Andy MacKinnon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

Over 1300 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns, mosses and lichens are described and illustrated. Notes on origin of name, ecology, native uses, edibility and similar species are included, as are color-coded sections to allow for quick identification. 900 color photographs, 700+ line drawings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

LINDA KERSHAW is a career botanist who has consulted and done research for Environment Canada, the World Wildlife Fund, the Alberta Forest Service, the Canadian Forest Service and the University of Alberta. Her extensive field work has taken her into the vast Canadian boreal forest as well as above the treeline in the Rocky Mountains, on Ellesmere Island and in New Zealand. Linda now works as a writer and editor when not pursuing two of her favourite pastimes--photography and illustration. Much of her fieldwork over the past 25 years has focused on the long-term environmental effects of human disturbances in the Mackenzie Mountains and Mackenzie River Basin, NWT. She also has a special interest in rare and endangered species. DR. JIM POJAR is executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Yukon chapter. He spent 25 years as an internationally respected forest ecology research scientist with the B.C. Forest Service. He is the author of numerous books and scientific papers related to the boreal forest, aspen parklands and coastal ecosystems. ANDY MACKINNON is a respected biologist who werves as a technical advisor on old growth forest research to the B.C. Ministry of Forests. MacKinnon, also a registered professional forester, is adjunct professor at the School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University. He is the author of six Lone Pine books on the plants of Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Lone Pine Publishing (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551050889
• ISBN-13: 978-1551050881
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Botany

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amateur (and professional) ecologist's sidekick, June 21, 2000

By 

William Adair - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plants of the Rocky Mountains (Paperback)

"Plants of the Rocky Mountains" is by far the best all-around field guide for Rocky Mountain trees, shrubs and flowers (with some grasses) that I've yet seen, and ranks right up there with classics like Newcomb's Wildflower guide for the northeast. Kershaw et al. provide simple, easy-to-use keys and organize plants by growth form (trees, shrubs, flowers), family, and color, so that both beginners and botanists can navigate with ease. Photographs are typically small, but the entire plant is shown, usually in its native habitat. Descriptions typically include relatives, uses, and occasionally an amusing anecdote.

As a cautionary note, "Plants of the Rocky Mountains" is intended to be used in the mountains, and is less useful in deserts, basins, or canyon country. That said, this is the ONE book that I take with me on weekend jaunts in the high country. -William Adair, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Resource for the Casual Naturalist, September 2, 2002

By 

Arch Stanton (Bondurant, WY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plants of the Rocky Mountains (Paperback)

This is an excellent guidebook to the flowers, shrubs, trees and plants of the entire Rocky Mountain chain. I tested this book in the meadows and streambeds near my home in Wyoming and discovered that the photos are clear, colorful, and aid in identification of species. Each listing features a general description as well as data on the leaves, flowers, fruits, and range. If you read the description closely and match it with your subject it's difficult to misidentify the species. Not every wildflower is included here but 95% of what you might find in Yellowstone or RMNP is here. Also, there's a brief bit of lore on most of the more common plants and flowers to help the reader understand the historical medicinal uses, as well as which ones make a refreshing tea and which ones can leave you paralyzed and impotent if ingested at toxic levels.

Not to be underestimated is the sturdy construction of this book - I carried it on a 2 week backpack earlier this summer and found the cover virtually indestructible and waterproof.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic in field guides, July 19, 2004

By 

Leslie G. Nelson (Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plants of the Rocky Mountains (Paperback)

Indispensible for beginners and experts alike!

The book begins with an itroduction that includes info on different zones such as: foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine, disturbed areas, basic maps, wildlife, fires, and more.

It then is divided and color coded for example: Trees-brown, shrubs-brown, wild flowers-yellow, grasses-green, ferns and Allies-reddish brown, Bryophytes-light green, lichens-light purple, and glossary-dark purple.

Within each section, it is further divided by family. For example the tree section is divided into pine family, willow family, and birch family. At the beginning of this section is a key to help you identify the different families. The flower section includes a photo key, so that you can find the flower you are seeking at a glance, and then go to the correct page.

Each plant includes info including common and latin name, description, where found and notes. The notes vary, but include much interesting information on the history of the plant. Some info on edible and medicinal plants is offered as well though the authors state, "This guide is not meant to be a 'how-to' reference for consuming wild plants." It also includes information on other plants in the "family within the family"...for example it discusses 3 different types of Tragopogon (Goat's beard or Salsify). It often gives pictures of more than one plant in the family-within-the family. It has a color photo for each plant, and many of them also include illustrations.

I am a beginner, and my purpose in using this book is to study edible wild plants. One thing drew me to this book was that it includes mcuh info on grasses, trees and shrubs. For learning edible wild plants, I also recommend Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide by Elias and Dykeman. This book offers info about poisonous look alikes.

Another wonderful aspect of Plants of the Rocky Mountains is its sturdy construction. It is well made, and appears that it will able handle many hiking and camping trips.

In summary, I think everyone interested in wild plants could benefit from this wonderful book, particulary at such a great price!