CYCADS OF WORLD 1E (Hardcover)

by JONES DAVID L (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A handsome book, as valuable to the botanist as it is to the horticulturalist." -- Choice

"I recommend this excellently made book for cycadophiles and non-cycadophiles alike." -- John W. Thieret, Sida, Contributions to Botany

"This is the best single reference for cycads that is available today." -- Audubon Naturalist News --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
When the first edition of this book was published in 1993, the popularity of cycads in the United States was just beginning to expand beyond public gardens and arboretums in the South. Today, with many species of these tropical plants readily available at local greenhouses and nurseries, cycads have become a favorite of many home gardeners; their palm-like appearance lends a taste of the tropics to any garden.

For this second edition David Jones has added information covering over one hundred new species and subspecies and updated his material on the two hundred species from the first edition. Each entry includes a full description, distribution and habitat information, and a detailed cultivation and propagation guide. The text is easily accessible for the home gardener yet maintains the highest standards of scientific accuracy. Over 360 color photographs plus many other illustrations and maps facilitate easy identification of all living species. Additionally, since cycads truly are living fossils- having existed for at least 250 million years-much information is provided on their prehistory and history.

This second edition of Cycads of the World makes a fine addition to the library of anyone interested in exotic plants, including gardeners, landscape architects, horticulturalists, and botanists. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560982209
• ISBN-13: 978-1560982203
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #370,105 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating journey to plants of yesteryear., July 12, 2002

By	Jerald R Lovell (Clinton Township, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Today's cycads are but relics of a worldwide population that flourished during the Mesozoic Era. Although superficially similar to palms, cycads are not flowering plants, and have a much more primitive structure. Many cycads have become inceasingly rare because of limited habitat and human encroachment. Only in recent years have people become aware of the great aesthetic value of cycads and incorporated them into gardens and lawns as useful, ornamental plants.

This book covers the worldwide variety of cycads in encyclopedic fashion. Beginning with a distribution map, the first half of the book introduces the history of cycads, their conservation and propagation, and their biology, structure, cultivation, and economic importance. Pests and diseases are also addressed.

The second half of the book addresses the different genera and species in turn, with an understandable, easily read text and good photos of each plant in its native state. The discussion covers plants in all areas of the tropics.

Anyone deciding to select a different form, or forms, of cycad cannot let this book go unread. Even if the reader lives in a climate where cycad cultivation is difficult or impossible, the book is an extremely interesting read about plants the dinosaurs lived near every day. Any person with an interest in botany will treasure ths book. I recommend it very highly.

NOTE: I am reviewing the 1993 edition. A revised edition is coming out in August, 2002. I will buy it immediately.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short but 'tasty', August 6, 2000

By A Customer

A very nice to read and study text, with plenty of pictures and drawings, undertandable also by someone like me that reads english only from time to time... I think it is a must for all of us loving cycads and relateds, with a lot to learn. More than only an introduction to all that beauty..

5.0 out of 5 stars Who could ask for more!, November 4, 2008

By	Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: CYCADS WORLD ED 2E (Hardcover)

Cycads is a book both scientifically accurate yet very accessible to the ordinary reader. It covers all the known species of in the 11 genera of cycads. The introductory chapters of nearly 100pp included discussions on history and prehistory, conservation, the structure of cycads, economic importance, biology of cycads, cultivation, pests and diseases, propagation, and cycads for containers. There are three appendices: cycad synonyms, lists of authors and a selection of fossil cycads. The book includes a glossary, bibliography and index.

The bulk of the book, well over 300pp, however is devoted to the individual species, with precise descriptions including etymology, distribution and habitat, notes, cultivation and propagation. There are over 360 colour photographs in addition to black and white photographs, line drawings and maps.

It is a good size and very handsome volume, beautifully illustrated, informative and easy to read; with this book one would surely need for nothing more.