Ferns of Florida: A Reference and Field Guide

Great field guide/reference for any naturalist or serious gardener. This book is primarily organized for use as a field guide, but has great value for landscaping/gardening as well. Ferns are notoriously difficult to identify in the field....unless you have this book! Mr Nelson's use of botanical keys is what makes it possible to confidently identify a particular specimen. The initial key toward the beginning of the book will direct you to a particular family or genus. At the family level you'll find another key that will help you to determine the genera, and from there the species descriptions, pictures, drawings, etc will help you to identify the particular species in question. (Some genera include very few species, in these cases, no keys are given). Even for those not accustomed to using botanical keys, mastering the use of these keys comes fairly easily with a little help from the fairly brief glossary. The color plates are of high quality and many of the pictures clearly show the arrangement of sori on the fertile fronds. In addition to keys and species descriptions, this book contains a history of fern study in Florida, information about fern conservation, including detailed information in table form about the federal and state status of each species, information about fern gardening, information about fern classification, nomenclature, morphology, life cycle of ferns, and a glossary of terms. I highly recommend this book for any naturalist and/or fern lover, or anyone who needs to be able to identify ferns.

A WELL WRITTEN AND WELL ILLUSTRATED BOOK. I HAVE FOUND THIS BOOK VERY USEFUL FOR IDENTIFYING THE FERNS OF FLORIDA. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE STATE HAD SUCH A VARIETY OF SPECIES.

Enhanced with more than two hundred color photographs, Gil Nelson's The Ferns Of Florida: A Reference And Field Guide showcases some 163 kinds of ferns ranging from norther species whose southern range extends into the uplands of Florida's norther tier, to tropical ferns spilling over Florida's southern tip. The text is thoroughly "reader friendly" with detailed descriptions and helpful identification tips, along with an invaluable selection of field observation based botanical keys for identifying plants in their wild ecosystems. There are extensive notes on each species growth form, as well as the botanical names, unique characteristics, garden use, and history. An essential and core title for any Floridian based gardener, as well as the professional and academic horticulturalist or botanist, The Ferns Of Florida also includes a glossary, a section on the fern life cycle and structure, a history of fern study in Florida, a discussion of some of the state's best natural ferneries, and an extensive bibliography for further study.

This book is for anyone who has an interest in ferns and wishes to be able to distinguish one from the other. Great color pictures so that you can compare the subtle differences and make these ferns you own. Ferns are wonderful plants that require little care and are almost impossible to kill even with kindness. Enjoy.