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

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

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

Reviews (2)

An excellent guide to wildflowers in the Blue Ridge
This book is an excellent summary of wildflowers you can expect to find in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. The full color pictures are beautiful and organized to make identification of flower names easy for the beginner.

An easy to use, well illustrated wildflower guide.
This is a non-technical field guide, designed for people with all skill levels. Wildflowers are organized by blossum color and illustrated with color photographs. A very useful book when searching for that elusive flower name in the Shenandoah Valley or Blue Ridge Mountains. The authors have written a similar book on Trees and Shrubs in the Shenandoah Valley. ... 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

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

Book Description

A field guide to 200 of Wisconsin's beautiful wildflowers!Full-page photos and descriptions make this a great guide for beginners and a terrific gift.The material is easily understood by those with no botanical background but includes important, accurate information useful to those more familiar with plants. Stan's notes are not only entertaining but provide the insight that a naturalist can give to help identify and appreciate these beautiful flowers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great content-bad package
The day I received this book I thumbed through it page by page and loved the photos and descriptions from the start. I was easily able to identify every wildflower I came across in our woods. Unfortunately, after the very first time I thumbed through the book the pages separated from the spine (it was easily repaired with crazy glue) but I was disappointed with the binding. I love the book enough that I would rather keep it than return it though.

Wildflowers of Wisconsin
I just loved this book. It is full of information on flowers you see every day along the road. A great teaching tool for children. We keep it in the car. The pictures are great and easy to identify ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you are a weekend hiker, a long-distance trekker, a trained naturalist, or a wildflower enthusiast, Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail is a necessary companion for anyone interested in the flora of the East's longest trail.

Along with elegant, large-format photographs, this book contains information on flower color, bloom season, size, and range of nearly one hundred species. Citations to more than sixty additional species with respect to their distinguishing features are also included. Yet this is no ordinary field guide. Not only will you be able to identify a particular flower, you will also learn the story behind its name, the fascinating role it has played through history, and its value in folkloric as well as modern medicine. You will discover that Skunk Cabbage produces its own heat (often melting snow and ice around it) and that Bloodroot contains an anti-plaque agent used in toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Unlike any other resource, this book notes specific sites along the Appalachian Trail where flower species may be seen; each site mentioned can be found in the index of its respective Appalachian Trail Guide. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

If you love wildflowers - this book is for you
This book had everything I was looking for - beautiful, full page, color photos of every flower. The design and layout of the book are wonderful, and the full page plant desription and notes is a great read. If you love wildflowers and learning about them, you will love this book

Wonderful needed resource; the pictures are superior.
Clear, direct, informed!! This is possibly the handiest and most usable wildflower reference for high country walkers of the eastern U.S. The photos are clearer and with better contrast than any other reference we have.

A must for hikers and flower enthusiasts.
You do not have to hike the 1,000+ miles of the AT to appreciate this book. These flowers are all over the eastern US. The descriptions are easy to understand and the photos are absolutely magnificent. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The premise is a good one. Your back yard is full of natural beauty, so you needn't fly off to Africa to find it. The Barbours explore their own Northeast backyard, with wonderful results. The writing dotes lovingly and knowledgeably on conifers, valley hardwoods and mushrooms, while the pictures are spectacular. No matter where you live, it's worth heading out to the Northeastern states, book in hand, to see the honeysuckle berry, the tuliptree and bloodroot, or else just sit with your feet up and see them through Anita's and Spider's eyes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good words, bad pictures
This book takes you season by season and beautifully describes the plants that you will see in the woods, meadows, and by the stream or pond.It made me want to get out and walk on my own land upstate and see these plants for myself.The down side to this book is despite the fact that New England and New York are beautiful in every season the photos in this book don't represent them well.The photos are in such soft focus (some out of focus)that I wouldn't recognise them in real life using the pictures.Sometimes an attempt to make a photo look artistic results in pictures that don't communicate.

Good words, bad pictures
This book takes you season by season and beautifully describes the plants that you will see in the woods, meadows, and by the stream or pond.It made me want to get out and walk on my own land upstate and see these plants for myself.The down side to this book is despite the fact that New England and New York are beautiful in every season the photos in this book don't represent them well.The photos are in such soft focus (some out of focus)that I wouldn't recognise them in real life using the pictures.Sometimes an attempt to make a photo look artistic results in pictures that don't communicate. ... Read more

Book Description

With this book you will discover a variety of common weeds with uncommon stories, sinister plants with deadly reputations, and friendly vegetables disguised as weeds. Over 50 detailed drawings will help you identify these plants which grow in both urban and natural areas of Northern California.

Learn how to use dandelions as a coffee substitute, how to make a gourmet salad out of "weeds," how to eat a pinecone or cactus, and much more! This is a great book to enhance anyone's pleasure of California outdoors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Meet Your Friends and Enemies of the Plant Kingdom
James Wiltens has carefully chosen 60 or so of plants found in Northern California that can easily be identified by beginning naturalists and botanists as edible or poisonous plants. Each plant covered in the book includes information about where to find it, how to prepare and eat it (or avoid it), as well as interesting trivia about some of the species. Wiltens has also included a drawing of each plant, noting its key identification features. Be sure to read Wiltens' introduction, covering the do's and don'ts and safety of flower collecting! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Five stars for numbers of flowers!
With 600 color photos and 1200 species described this is by far the most comprehensive book for identifying flowers of the region.It is a book for the serious who really want to name as many flowers as they can.It may be a bit too comprehensive for a beginner who just wants to find the common flowers because of the sheer quantity .

Most comprehensive wildflower book for the Southern Mountain
This is the most comprehensive and inclusive book I have been able to find about the Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachain.It is very helpful in identification but is a little lacking but only slightly in some otherinformative plant information.It has all of the basics and I love thebook to be sure.Needs to add more asides about the plants...etc..whatthey might have been used for.It definately has been the most helpfulbook to have around to identify all the flowers.I would not be withoutit.By far my favorite.

Excellent book. Most thorough of its kind I have ever seen.
This book is a true tour de force, as Smith draws from his 20,000 photographs and 20 years of experience in the botany of the southern mountains. ... Read more

Book Description

Charming reproduction of rare volume by famed 19th-century illustrator includes abundantly illustrated list of over 200 plants and their figurative equivalents (tulip = fame; blue violet = faithfulness, etc.). Selection of flower-related verses—including "To a Mountain Daisy" by Robert Burns—appears at back of book. 85 full-color illustrations.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fun to read.
This is a fun book to read if you like symbolism, and even if you don't, it's fun to read the poems in the back. In this, almost every flower, clover and herb has a meaning and just about any flower you can you'll find in here. The illustrations are sweet, and this is a great reference if you're looking for something sentimental to give a friend. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

More than just a great little field guide....
I own several field guides to Texas wildflowers, and I find this one to be the best among them. There are books with bigger and better photographs, but none come close to having the nearly 400 color photos this one has. This one also has maps of growing areas for each plant identified and very clear descriptions of each plant. It even has sections on Texas' endangered species and landscaping with native plants.

The book divides the plants into five sections for easy use. The wildflowers are further divided into colors to help find and identify them quickly. The five sections are (1) herbaceous wildflowers, (2) vines, (3) trees and shrubs, (4) cacti, agaves, yuccas and other succulents, and (5) miscellaneous plants, weeds and growths on trees. These are followed by appendices on how to identify common plant families and "plant watching" as a hobby (collecting plants, how to make a plant press and save your specimens, and a sample wildflower documentation sheet). Finally, there are three glossaries and an index.

While some might complain that the plant photographs are not printed with the specimen entries (they are grouped together in the center of the book), this is really quite handy. Each photo is numbered identically with the entries, so matching the photo with the description is really very simple. Indeed, it is quite easy to find the flower by its photo and then look up the corresponding plant description by the photo number.

All in all, this is the only wildflower field guide Texans will need. If you want a desk reference, that's another matter. ... Read more

Book Description

In recent years, more and more nature lovers have been flocking to discover the untouched serenity of the North. Those who make the journey are rewarded with views of a remarkable landscape abounding in colourful, fragrant wild flowers unmatched elsewhere in the world.Author John Trelawny's passion for northern landscapes is reflected in Wild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska and Northwestern Canada. Over 200 pages of gorgeous colour photographs illustrate informative descriptions and useful facts for each species. This new, updated edition will satisfy even the most discriminating botanist while remaining accessible to the amateur naturalist. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Carry this one in your packpack
One of the very best area-specific wildflower books ever. Descriptions and photographs make identification easy. The guide to location includes best times to go, roads to travel and paths to follow.

A BACKPACK ESSENTIAL FOR A GORGE HIKE
CLEAR GLOSSY COLOR PHOTOS OF EACH FLOWER, THE SCIENTIFIC AND COMMON NAMES, HABITATS AND BLOOMING DATES MAKE YOUR COLUMBIA GORGE WILDFLOWER IDENTIFICATION A SNAP! THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR THE LIBRARY OF THE GORGE HIKER, BOTANIST OR ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES THE SPECTACULAR BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF THIS NATURAL SCENIC AREA. ... Read more

Book Description

Each listing in Summer & Fall Wildflowers of New England includes a thorough text description of flower and leaves, as well as details about range, growth habits, and habitat. In addition to common names, the listings also include Latin names and families. The most prominent feature, however, is the more than 700 color illustrations by Marilyn Dwelley. Unlike photographs taken in the wild, her detailed colored-pencil renderings are not cluttered by surrounding flora and so allow for easy identification of species. The book's convenient size makes it perfect for use as a field guide, but the exquisite artwork and wonderful descriptions make it equally suitable for the bookshelf. ... Read more