Review
A very useful summary of the state of knowledge of Western Hemisphere palm taxonomy. Choice This excellently produced guide is a model of its kind, not only in providing keys and description for field taxonomists, but also in containing a wealth of information on the ecology, distribution, and economic uses of this important group of tropical and subtropical plants. The Naturalist The reason why this should become a standard reference, as well as a field guide, is that the species concepts are broad and allow for the considerable variation that palms exhibit in the field. Highly recommended. -- Henk Beentje Curtis's Botanical Magazine This excellently produced guide is a model of its kind, not only in providing keys and description for field taxonomists, but also in containing a wealth of information on the ecology, distribution, and economic uses of this important group of tropical and subtropical plants. The Naturalist What makes this guide so significant is that, until now, the taxonomy of American palms had never been synthesized and simplified to bring order to all species in all genera and provide standard names among countries. -- Roger W. Sanders Sida
Product Description
This user-friendly and authoritative book will serve scientists, growers, and sightseers as a guide to the 67 genera and 550 species of naturally occurring palms found in the Americas. Its purpose is to give an introduction to the diversity of palms and allow almost anyone to identify a palm from this part of the world. Providing scientifically accurate descriptions and a rich supply of illustrations, including color photos taken in the wild of over 256 species, this guide is extraordinary in its coverage of the plant that has become for many people the symbol of the tropical landscape. Palms are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also make up an economically and ecologically important family of plants. In industry, for example, the coconut, oil palm, and date palm have a wide and varied use. In the lowland rain forest, palms are usually one of the most abundant and diverse families of plants. Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas will appeal to professional scientists or students working in the tropics-including agronomists, anthropologists, ecologists, entomologists, natural historians, and zoologists-as well as to amateur and professional growers of palms, to "eco-tourists" who visit tropical regions, and to inhabitants of these regions who are interested in the native flora.
