Donald D. Cox
Paper $19.95 | 0-8156-0780-6 | 2004
An essential guide to appreciating simple field plants and the key role
they play in local and global ecosystems.
Review
"Plants offer a convenient Medium to study all kinds of life processes, from sexual reproduction to ecological adaptation. Amateur naturalists in the eastern US will appreciate this concise treatment of such topics, along with tips on plant collecting and other field investigations suitable for variety of ages. The many black-and-white drawings are especially helpful when trying to identify the organisms in question. With chapter 5, 'Through the Year,' Cox shows great insight into his readers. Here he gives concise descriptions and interesting information such as the plants' usefulness to humans and historical distribution data on selected species, arranged chronologically as the plants bloom month by month. . . . Recommended."
 Choice
Description
In this comprehensive volume Donald D. Cox gathers substantial data on simple field plants in Eastern North America and with great clarity he studies their profound impact on regional ecosystems and the ecology of the earth.
This includes origins and types of soils and how these soils relate to vegetation; climate and human culture; plants and fungi growth in fields; adaptations for survival; field plant reproduction and seed dispersal; and toxic, medicinal, and edible plants that flourish in fields.
Cox provides complete and accurate details for readers interested in collecting and/or preserving field plants. He focuses on field conservation and habitat preservation throughout the book. A final chapter offers special projects and investigations for those who wish to go a step beyond collecting and identifying plants. This book is an indispensable reference for professional and amateur naturalists as well as students and the general public.
Author
Donald A. Cox is the author of A Naturalist's Guide to Forest Plants, A Naturalist's Guide to Wetland Plants, and A Naturalist's Guide to Seashore Plants, all published by Syracuse University Press.
Illustrations by Shirley A. Peron
6 x 9, 216 pages, 112 line drawings, bibliography, glossary, index
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Syracuse University Press
