Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas

By C. Ritchie Bell, Harry E. Ahles, Albert E. Radford

Book Overview

This illustrated manual describes and discusses the unusually rich and varied flora of the Carolinas, from the semi-tropical coast of South Carolina to the northern forests of the high North Carolina mountains.

The manual treats in detail and in a concise format more than 3, 200 species of trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and ferns that grow without cultivation in this two-state area. Special features include diagnostic illustrations, keys for identification, detailed descriptions, flowering and fruiting dates, habitat data, distribution data, and pertinent synonymy for each species. County dot maps show the distribution of each species if found in more than five counties throughout the two-state area, and general ranges beyond our borders are given in the text.

First published in 1968, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas is an established reference for professionals, students, and plant enthusiasts throughout the Southeastern United States. It is based on the collection and examination of more than 200,000 live specimens. Many of these specimens are now housed in the herbarium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807810878
• ISBN13: 9780807810873
• Release Date: December 1968
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 1245 Pages
• Weight: 3.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.4" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

absolutely necessary!

As a botany major, I have to say this is the most important book to have in your collection. I use it for classes, I use it for the field, I use it for reference. Some things are outdated and need to be corrected, but for the most part it is essential for anyone dealing with plants. One concern I have is that it may be hard to use for people who are not knowledgeable in plant vocabulary. The keys are sometimes difficult for even advanced botanists to use, and not always because of the plant in question. It is a must-have for anyone dealing with plants, but a good plant dictionary is something I heavily recommend.

Best in the East

I have used this book for almost 30 years, and there is none better for the Southeast. Even if you use other guides, this one is the final authority! I cross reference everything through this book.

The best book for flora of the southeast in existence

I have gone through 4 of these in the past 26 years and I heartily recommend it for anyone with a more than passable amount of knowledge concerning plants.

One of the best floras of any region

Provides complete coverage of all vascular plants of North and South Carolina. Features excellent keys, drawings, and range maps.

Fantastic keys to vascular flora of the southeastern US

Fantastic..I heard this book was no longer available. I have used it for years--there is no substitute. Buy it while you can, as it is no longer published and this is the first time I have seen it for sale in over 10 years.