Reviews (3)

A quirky little nature book
This odd little book explores connections between plants, bugs and their habitat. Illustrations are line drawings. It is arranged alphabetically by plant name and each entry describes the plant and its natural associates.

Very little is said about the author's qualifications, so one must, I guess, assume that he knows whereof he writes.

A very limited list of plants is covered, with many major ones omitted. Some of the taxonomy is dated (and may have been wrong when it was written) eg including poison ivy in the Rhus genus.

I can think of better ways to spend money.

Great book!!!
I happpen to live with lots of thickets so this was very appropriate for us. It has really good drawings of the plants and insects that you might encounter with some ofthem. It talks about the different seasons and what the plants go through and what to look for. It also has special tips for id and has a section on lore for each plant so you get stories too. The swamp and bog book is layed out the same way and is also excellent. They go further than the typical plant id book so you can really learn something

Just what I was looking for!
For those people who already kind of know their way around the forest, and are more interested in what they are going to see ASSOCIATED with the plants they see than what an Audobon book says, this is a naturalist's dream come true!

Great b/w illustrations of not only leaves and fruits, but insects, diseases, toothmarks, clawmarks and nests that can be found on and around the trees and plants listed in the book...

Also highly recommended is the Swamp and Bog book... ... Read more

Book Description

This latest picture book from Tim Ernst contains 105 brand new color photographs showing the incredible beauty of springtime in Arkansas.There is remarkable scenery of known places, plus photos of secret spots and magical images of the wilderness coming to life. And lots of text from the author, including humorous stories, outdoor lore, and many photo tips. Printed on heavy, luxurious paper, individually gift boxed. ... Read more

Book Description

North America is home to approximately four dozen bulbous genera, encompassing hundreds of species. Among these are such popular rock garden plants as Calochortus (mariposa lilies) and Erythronium (trout lilies), which have not been exhaustively covered by any previous book. Others, including Calydorea, Hypoxis, and Muilla, are not well known outside specialist collections.

The characteristics that make bulbs desirable in gardens include their great diversity of flowering time, color, size, and form; their versatility in the landscape as naturalized plantings, in borders and containers, under shrubs, in bog gardens, alpine houses, grasslands, and woodlands; and their capacity to multiply and spread. Lilies, alliums, or jack-in-the-pulpits, along with goldenstars, spider lilies, and hellebores, add much to the enjoyment of gardening.

Written by a diverse group of authors who are all avid gardeners with extensive experience observing the plants in the wild, this volume strikes a pleasing balance between field botany and practical horticulture. Special attention has been paid to identifying the distinguishing features of the species so that those growing them from seed or viewing them in the wild can identify what they have before them. Geographical ranges and descriptions of the soils, moisture regimes, and exposures preferred by each species are provided to guide the gardener as well as the hiker seeking to photograph flowers in the wild.

Amateur botanists and horticulturists, particularly those with an interest in alpine and rock gardens, and travelers planning a field trip to choice plant-viewing sites all over the continent will be inspired by this first-hand account of native North American bulbs. More than 100 impressive color photos illustrate the eleven original chapters. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Descriptive information identifying the various species
The North American Rock Garden Society is an organization of amateur botanists and gardeners drawn from around the world who are devoted to all aspects of the plant species grown in rock gardens. This unique horticultural society commissioned Jane McGary to compile a wealth of contributions from expert contributors to present a comprehensive reference on North American bulbous plants that would be suited to the geographical ranges, soil varieties, and moisture regimes found throughout North America. In addition to descriptive information identifying the various species, practical information is provided for growing these plants from seed, as well as tips for viewing them in the wild. Superbly enhanced with more than one hundred full color photographs, Bulbs Of North America is a core addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library horticultural and gardening reference collection. ... Read more

Book Description

The American Southwest offers prime habitat for hummingbirds. Indeed, of the sixteen species of hummingbirds resident in North America, all but one either nest in or migrate through the region. In Hummingbirds of the American West, birding authority Lynn Hassler Kaufman describes in detail the field marks, behavioral characteristics, and habitat requirements of each species. Extraordinary color photographs also capture these fascinating birds in flight, feeding, and nesting. Hummingbirds of the American West identifies prime locations in the deserts and "sky island" mountain ranges of the American Southwest where avid birders are most likely to encounter these remarkable creatures. For resident bird lovers who also have a green thumb, Lynn Hassler Kaufman describes how to create a "hummingbird garden" with native plants that are sure to attract their attention. 60 color photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An ideal guide for any fan of hummingbirds!
This is the perfect guidebook for any hummingbird enthusiast in the western United States. It begins with basic hummingbird information on physical characteristics, feeding habits, territory, behavior, vocalizations, life cycle, and migration. The book then goes into specific profiles of the 18 species found in this region: Green Violet-ear, Broad-billed, White-eared, Berylline, Buff-bellied, Violet-crowned, Blue-throated, Magnificent, Plain-capped, Lucifer, Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Anna's, Costa's, Calliope, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Allen's. Each profile includes the common name, Latin name, Spanish name, and information on the bird's range, physical appearance and coloration, behavior, call sounds, habitat, diet and feeding habits, courtship and nesting, and the origin of the species' name. For most species there are pictures of both the male and female, though a few picture only the male. The pictures are large, clear, and very beautiful. There are also brief descriptions of three species not native to the American west, but which have been spotted here on rare occasions: the Green-breasted Mango, the Xantus's Hummingbird, and the Cinnamon Hummingbird.

The latter part of the book is devoted to tips on gardening to attract hummingbirds. There is an explanation of hummingbirds and pollinators, information on the needs of hummingbirds (for shelter, nesting, and climate, as well as food), and a list of flowering plants that hummingbirds favor. They are most attracted to flowers that are red, pink, or orange in color. The book gives both the common and scientific name of each plant suggested, as well as it's native habitat and the elevations at which it grows best. Several of the plants are pictured as well. At the end of the book there is a brief section on hummingbird feeders, detailing the most effective varieties, and simple guidelines on sugar-water mixtures and ways to deter bees and ants. The entire book is well-written and provides all the vital information for identifying the hummingbirds in your area. It is also thin and lightweight, making it easily portable if you wish to carry it along on bird-watching excursions. I would highly recommend it to any lover of hummingbirds in the western US. ... Read more

Book Description

North Carolina Trees & Wildflowers, An Introduction to Familiar Species, is a must-have, reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you're on a nature hike or taking a stroll in your neighborhood, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide.

The Pocket Naturalist(tm) series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map identifying prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

North Carolina Trees & Wildflowers
This pamphlet was not what I expected. The paper quality is good, and the pamphlet would be good to carry along to identify plants. However, I expected it to tell me when plants would be blooming and in what type of environment they would be found. This fold-out pamphlet has excellent pictures and name identification, but not the information I expected when I purchased it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

What a great guide!
I am a naturalist in South Florida and I love to identify different plants. Roger makes the plants accessible to the beginner naturalist and entertaining with historical facts about the different plants he has included. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wildflowers for the Botannically Challenged
This is the book for those of us who want to be able to identify wildflowers in the Sierras. The format makes it easy to find the wildflowers in question. An added bonus is the description of where each plant grows. As a avid hiker, mountain biker, and artist who lives in the Sierras, this book will stay in my daypack! ... Read more

Book Description

Covers the basic knowledge of the regulation of biosynthesis of various amino acids in plants and the application of this knowledge to the discovery of novel inhibitors of amino acid biosynthesis and for enhancing the nutritional value of plant products.Provides an exhaustive list of pathway inhibitors. ... Read more

Book Description

It has been ten years since the publication of the third edition of this seminal text on plant virology, during which there has been an explosion of conceptual and factual advances. The fourth edition updates and revises many details of the previous editon, while retaining the important older results that constitute the field's conceptual foundation.

Key features of the fourth edition include:
* Thumbnail sketches of each genera and family groups
* Genome maps of all genera for which they are known
* Genetic engineered resistance strategies for virus disease control
* Latest understanding of virus interactions with plants, including gene silencing
* Interactions between viruses and insect, fungal, and nematode vectors
* New plate section containing over 50 full-color illustrations ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wild Orchids of New Mexico
This book is extremely well done with excellent photogrphic images, good field stories, and generally well written. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents a synthesis of the modern approaches to the study of ontogeny and the interpretation of the fossil evidence for human origins. Recent years have seen significant developments in the understanding of the regulation of embryonic pattern formation and skeletal adaptation, and in techniques for the visualizations and analysis of ontogenetic transformations, offering the prospect of understanding the mechanisms underpinning phylogenetic transformation in the skeleton. Advances in developmental biology, molecular genetics, biomechanics, microscopy, imaging and morphometrics are brought to bear on the subject.

Key Features
* Reviews important hot subject areas
* Juxtaposes contributions by developmental biologists and those by evolutionary morphologists
* Makes some bold insights; synthesizes development and evolution ... Read more

Book Description

Alaska Trees & Wildflowers, An Introduction to Familiar Plants, is a must-have, reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you're on a nature hike or taking a stroll in your neighborhood, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide.

The Pocket Naturalist(tm) series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map identifying prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability. ... Read more

Book Description

Stinkhorns, puffballs, the "corpse finder," deadly galerina, Satan's bolete, birch conks, black mold, the old man of the woods--the world of fungi is infinitely varied and not a little weird. Now, in Mr. Bloomfield's Orchard, Nicholas Money introduces readers to a dazzling array of fungi, from brewer's yeast and Penicillium to the highly lethal death cap. This is an entertaining book that also provides a solid introduction to the biology of fungi as well as much insight into how scientists study fungi in the lab and in the field. Readers will be intrigued by the many exotic fungi discussed. One fungus in Oregon, for instance, covers 2,000 acres and is now considered the world's largest organism. We learn of Madurella, which can erode bones until they look moth-eaten; Cordyceps, which wracks insects with convulsions, kills them, then sends a stalk out of the insect's head to release more infectious spores; and Claviceps, the poisonous ergot fungus, which causes hallucinations (the women charged with "demonic possession" in Salem in 1691 may have been victims of ergot consumption). Money also showcases the lives of famed mycologists--including Reginald Buller who wore horse blinders as he walked to work, the better to study luminescent fungi in his dark lab, and Charles Tulasne, the Audubon of fungi, whose illustrations of specimens border on art. And he recounts his own childhood introduction to fungi in Mr. Bloomfield's orchard, where trees and fruit were devoured by a rogue's gallery of bitter rot, canker, rust, powdery mildew, rubbery wood, and scab. Told with a refreshing sense of humor, Mr. Bloomfield's Orchard will fascinate anyone interested in the natural world. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow!
Wow! I never thought I'd enjoy a book on fungi this much. Parts of it are not a particularly easy read, but the information it contains is mind blowing. Forget terrorists; if fungi and mold decided to take out the human race it would be no contest.

We tend not to think of fungi as being a very important part of our world. We might occasionally have mushrooms on pizza or steak, we might notice fungi growing on an old tree or on something that has been kept too long in the refrigerator, but that's about it. In fact fungi has a vast influence in our world, from breaking down fallen trees in the forest to making our bread and beer. Have you ever wondered how dandruff was formed? Guess what plays a major role.

The writer, who presents often bizarre information with wit and style, reminds us that one fungi, covering 2000 acres in Oregon, is thought to be the world's largest living organism. Even the more prosaic information comes to life in this book - I enjoyed his description of the speed a spore is catapulted from a gill.

Some of the most interesting sections are the mini-biographies of scientists who have researched fungi and added to our knowledge of them. There was Buller, for instance, a professor whose students called him 'Uncle Reggie', and Ingold who found a totally unknown kind of fungus in water. There are now over 300 species of Ingoldian fungi known and in fall you can find about 20,000 of them in every litre of brook water.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the natural world. You'll need to expend a little effort reading the more scholarly parts of it, but you'll learn some amazing stuff about fungi, mold and the scientists who discovered them.

A Colorful Account
This is a charming personal take on what most people think of as a charmless subject ' fungi. The author teaches in a university botany department. These days it's clear that fungi are actually more closely related to animals than they are to plants, but they have always been thought of as a vampirish offshoot of the plant kingdom, so to botany departments they go.

This is not really a primer on fungal structure and function, but it does manage to quickly give us a feel for the basics. Fortunately, it is possible to get to the fungal forefront, as it were, relatively quickly. These are fairly simple creatures, as creatures go. (Of course, the simplest cell is complex beyond our most complicated machines.) They are more colonies (or rugged individuals) than multicellular beasts, and most of the action centers in figuring out how they reproduce, and the cocktail of chemicals they use to go where no fungus has gone before.

In this book the author talks about a range of topics, such as human and animal fungal pathogens, how the different kinds of fungi make a living, fungal 'sex', poisonous mushrooms, and so on. But he also profiles some of the more eccentric (and productive) researchers in the field. In the course of the book, in many ways, he profiles himself as well. Our author turns out to be a thoroughly engaging sort, humanistic and unpretentious. You'll like him, and learn something about mushrooms, molds, and mycologists. ... Read more

Book Description

A full-color guide to the wildflowers that bloom in the norther Utah mountains every spring and summer. This new second printing offers many new photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An Excellent Textbook
Miles and Chang have done a great service to all students and aspiring mushroom cultivators with the publication of Mushroom Biology. This small, information dense book covers all aspects of mushroom cultivation, from the biology of mushroom development to the science underlying cultivation. As such, it is the perfect textbook for an upper level undergraduate course specifically focused on edible mushrooms.

The book approaches the mushroom largely from a theoretical and conceptual standpoint and is divided into four parts. The first part introduces the edible mushroom by elaborating its role and importance to man and the environment. The second part delves deeply into the biology and genetics of the edible mushroom. Here, the reader learns much about the classification of fungi, the biology of the fungi, the nutritional and environmental requirements of the fungi as organisms, and most importantly, the genetics and breeding of the edible fungi. The third part of the book covers mushroom production and is divided into three chapters which delve concisely into the phases of mushroom cultivation and aspects of biotechnology related to mushroom production leading up to the present time. The fourth part of the book briefly details current developments in mushroom cultivation focusing specifically on Asia. The fifth and final part of the book provides the reader with a long and useful list of references as well as cultivation parameters for many of the known, edible mushrooms.

Although this book is not nearly as detailed as Miles and Chang's previous publication, Edible Mushrooms and Their Cultivation (CRC Press 1989- no longer in print), it can serve as an excellent starting point for students and aspiring cultivators. The book's major strength is its introduction and definition of terminology common to mycology and mushroom cultivation. While there is not a lot of information on cultivation techniques per se, the scientific basis for the techniques is brilliantly and concisely explained. For those individuals who desire detailed information on the cultivation of mushrooms, books such as The Mushroom Cultivator and Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, both by mushroom guru and eco-activist extraordinaire Paul Stamets will provide more than enough information.

Readers of this book will find that it will enable them to speak intelligently about mushrooms from both a theoretical and an applied standpoint. For those individuals wishing to develop a detailed knowledge of the fundamental concepts involved in mushroom cultivation, this book can not be beat.

spent compost
spent compost it can use to fodder for livestock , soil conditioner and fertilizer in addition to can ferment it to compost of Volvariella volvacea ... Read more