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Science Library

Anderson, Edward F. 2001. The Cactus Family. Published by Timber Press, Inc. ISBN: 0-88192-498-9

A great reference for the cactus enthusiast. Anderson discusses 125 genera and 1,810 species. He also discusses cactus morphology and physiology, the ethnobotany of cacti, the conservation of cacti, the cultivation of cacti, and the classification of cacti. Over 1,000 color photographs are featured in this book.

American Nurseryman Publishing Co. 2006. The Pronouncing Dictionary of Plant Names. American Nurseryman Publishing Co. ISBN: 1-887632-58-1

A practical pocket guide to the pronunciation of over 3,000 plant names. This 93-page dictionary fits easily into a field bag, day bag, purse or pocket. Take this dictionary with you to exhibits, plant shows, gardening events or your local nursery. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Audubon Society Pocket Guide. 1986. Familiar Trees of North America (Western Region). Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN: 0-394-74852-2

This book covers 80 of the most common species of trees in the West. The strength of this book is the large photographs of leaves/needles/scales and the smaller photographs of bark for each featured species. While this book does not have a plant key, it is a nifty pocket photo reference nonetheless.

Baldwin, Bruce. 2002. The Jepson Desert Manual: Vascular Plants of Southeastern California. University of California Press. ISBN: 0-520-22775-1

While picture guides are great to use in the field, sometimes you need to sit down and key plants out. If you are botanizing in the California desert, then you should have this book packed with your supplies. This book is an excerpt from the larger Jepson Manual that serves as a key to the higher plants of California. Knowledge on how to use a dichotomous key is required. (Note: You want to have Harris & Harris' book on plant identification terminology handy when working with this book).

Blackburne-Maze, 2003. Fruit: An Illustrated History. Firefly Books.
ISBN: 1-55297-780-3.

The histories of the following fruits are discussed in this book: apple, pear, quince, medlar, plum, cherry, peach, nectarine, apricot, mulberry, currant, gooseberry, blueberry, bilberry, blackberry, dewberry, strawberry, raspberry, myrtle berry, elderberry, cranberry, fig, citrus, melon, pineapple, grape, banana, mango, feijoa, breadfruit, durian, custard apple, starfruit, tamarind, kiwano, pitaya, persimmon, papaya, sapodilla, guava, passionfruit, pomegranate, date, mangosteen, langstat, loquat, rambutan, longan, lychee, chinese lantern, cape gooseberry, olive, avocado, coconut, pistachio, cashew, walnut and almond. This book contains over 300 illustrations from the Lindley Library of the Royal Horticultural Society. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Blackwell, Laird R. 2002. Wildflowers of the Eastern Sierra and adjoining Mojave Desert and Great Basin. Lone Pine Publishing. ISBN: 1-55105-281-4

Blackwell has arranged the plants in this book by elevation zones, by flower color, and then by the number of petals or petal-like parts. This book covers the high desert region at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada (i.e., Mt. Whitney) to the mixed conifer forests of Mt. Rose north of Lake Tahoe. Plant descriptions are accompanied by either 1 or 2 color photographs. Details of particular importance to a plant are highlighted in bold in each plant description.

Borror, Donald J. 1971. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Mayfield Publishing Company. ISBN: 0-87484-053-8

This book is geared specifically towards biological terms and scientific names. A must-have. There are other books written on root words. I am sure that they will be helpful as well. All that is needed, really, is a reference that helps artists breakdown words so that they can better understand the terms and descriptions used by botanists. Any resource that makes the terminology more digestible is a good resource. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Botti, Stephen J. 2001. An Illustrated Flora of Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Association. ISBN: 0-939666-98-7

This key is specific to the plants growing within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. This is important to remember because the keys in this book use "easily-recognizable characters rather than the complete suite of characters that truly separate a specific taxon from all others." Almost every featured plant is illustrated. In fact, this book contains over 1,100 watercolor paintings and close to 300 pen-&-ink drawings. While this book's size makes it an impractical field guide (it is 28" x 12" when opened flat and weighs 8.5 lbs.), it is still a great reference.

Brigham, Steve. 2003. Ornamental Trees of San Diego: Mediterranean Climate Trees for the Garden. San Diego Horticultural Society. ISBN: 0-934797-20-x

A guide to 230 tree species in the San Diego area. Accompanying the description of each tree are one or more photographs, the street address of the photographed specimen, and a guide indicating where an example of the featured tree can be viewed in Balboa Park &/or at Quail Botanic Garden.

Brigham, Steve. 2005. Ornamental Trees for Mediterranean Gardens. San Diego Horticultural Society. ISBN: 0-934797-23-4

A guide to 260 tree species in the San Diego area. In this edition, botanical nomenclature has been updated and plant descriptions have been rewritten. Like in the first edition, accompanying the description of each tree are one or more photographs, the street address of the photographed specimen, and a guide indicating where an example of the featured tree can be viewed in Balboa Park &/or at Quail Botanic Garden. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Burnie, David. 2000. Tree. Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. ISBN: 0-7894-5820-9

The pages of this book are photographed and labeled beautifully. The life cycle of a tree is described in very understandable language. Anyone with even the slightest interest in trees will love this reference.

Capon, Brian. 2005. Botany for Gardeners. Second edition. Timber Press. ISBN: 0-88192-655-8

Capon has turned an awful lot of botany into very digestible bits and this is exactly the type of accomplishment we like here at ArtPlantae.com. Capon takes readers on a tour of the inner workings of plants and on a tour of the gross morphological features of plants. He also discusses how plants adapt in different environments, how plants develop from seed and how plants reproduce. Capon's writing style makes this book easy to read and very entertaining. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Coombes, Allen J. 1999. Dictionary of Plant Names. Timber Press. ISBN: 0-88192-294-3

Over 1,000 plant names are included in this book. Use this prononciation guide with Stearn (1996) and Borror (1971) to get a handle on pronouncing scientific names and to understand the meanings behind the names.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2003. Volume 20(1): 1-64. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Mutisia retrorsa (Linda Gurr); Mutisia subspinosa (Linda Gurr); Mutisia subulata (Linda Gurr); Barnadesia arborea (Deborah Lambkin, Hazel Wilks); Acmella oleracea (Deborah Lambkin); Cosmos atrosanguineus (Deborah Lambkin, Hazel Wilks); Centaurea akamantis (Deborah Lambkin). Also in this issue are book reviews of Bulbs of North America by Jane McGary, The Virtures of Herbs of Master Jon Gardener edited by E. Charles Nelson, Charles Bridgeman and the English Landscape Garden by Peter Willis, and The Genus Epimedium and Other Herbaceous Berberidaceae by William T. Stern.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2003. Volume 20(2): 65-132. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Hibbertia cuneiformis (Katrina Syme); Hakea rhombales (Philippa Nikulinsky); Verticordia grandis (Margaret Pieroni); Anigozanthos rufus (Ellen Hickman); Caladenia drummondii (Lucy Smith after Rica Erickson, Rica Erickson); Rhizanthella gardneri (Patricia Dundas). Also in this issue are the following: an article by Stephen D. Hopper (South-western Australia, Cinderella of the world's temperate floristic regions 1) and a book review of Verticordia: The Turner of Hearts by Elizabeth A. (Berndt) George.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2003. Volume 20(3): 133-188. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Acanthogilia gloriosa (Joanna Langhorne); Philadelphus maculatus (Lucy Smith); Aquilegia fragrans (Joanna Langhorne); Sarcanthopsis hansemannii (Christabel King, Ann Farrer); Dendrobium glomeratum (Christabel King, Ann Farrer); Amherstia nobilis (M. Gauci, W.H. Fitch). Also in this issue are an article by Nigel P. Taylor (Iconotypes and Cacti in Curtis's Botanical Magazine) featuring the artwork of William Hooker and W. H. Fitch. As well as a book review of Hardy Geraniums: New Edition by Peter F. Yeo.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2003. Volume 20(4): 189-256. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Cyrtanthus guthrieae (Elbe Joubert); Ammocharis nerinoides (Marieta Visagie); Lachenalia peersii (Vicki Thomas); Lachenalia salteri (Fay Anderson); Cyrtorchis crassifolia (Judi Stone); Hoodia pilifera subsp. pillansii (Gillian Condy). Also in this issue are an article by Anna C. Saltmarsh (Francis Masson: Collecting Plants for King and Country) featuring the artwork of Francis Masson and Sydenham Edward; an article by Graham Duncan (Endangered Geophytes of the Cape Floral) and a book review of The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs by John Manning.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2004. Volume 21(1): 1-104. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Pieris formosa var. forrestii 'Wakehurst' (Deborah Lambkin); Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Deborah Lambkin); Anacamptis laxiflora (Deborah Lambkin, Linda Gurr); Camassia leichtlinii 'Lady Eva Price' (Deborah Lambkin); Euphorbia donii 'Amjillasa' (Deborah Lambkin); Berberidopsis beckleri (Deborah Lambkin); Hypericum kouytchense (Deborah Lambkin); Betula lenta f. uber (Deborah Lambkin); Wahlenbergia hederacea (Deborah Lambkin); Nothofagus moorei (Deborah Lambkin, Hazel Wilks); Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Deborah Lambkin); Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' (Deborah Lambkin). Also in this issue are articles by Harry Townsend (The History of Wakehurst Place), an article by Chris Clennett (The Southern Hemisphere Garden at Wakehurst Place) featuring artwork by Lilian Snelling, Margaret Stones and W.H. Fitch. An article by Arthur Hoare (Wild Flowers at Wakehurst), an article by Clare Tenner (The Milennium Seed Bank), and an article by Harry Townsend (Gerald Loder, Maker of Wakehurst Place: A Portrait).

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2004. Volume 21(2): 105-180. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Lechenaultia acutiloba (Philippa Nikulinsky); Lechenaultia biloba (Philippa Nikulinsky); Lechenaultia hirsuta (Philippa Nikulinsky); Lechenaultia linarioides (Philippa Nikulinsky); Lechenaultia striata (Philippa Nikulinsky); Lechenaultia tubiflora (Philippa Nikulinsky). Also in this issue are articles by Stephen D. Hopper (South-western Australia, Cinderella of the World's Temperate Floristic Regions 2), an article by David Morrison and Alex George (The Genus Lechenaultia).

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2004. Volume 21(3): 181-220. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Mahonia pallida (Victoria Goaman); Aconitum hemsleyanum (Joanna Langhorne); Rubus calophyllus (Christabel King); Sinningia pusilla (Christabel King); Epigeneium cacuminis (Linda Gurr); Agapanthus africanus subsp. walshii (Elbe Joubert). Also in this issue is an article by Brent Elliott (The Botanical Magazine and the Royal Horticultural Society).

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2004. Volume 21(4): 221-270. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Aloe parvula (Pauline Dean); Aloe compressa (Pauline Dean); Aloe calcairophila (Pauline Dean); Aloe descoingsii (Pauline Dean); Dauphinea brevilabra (Gilian Condy); Angraecum praestans (Christabel King). Also in this issue are articles by David Du Puy (Four Miniature Species of Aloe from Madagascar), an article by James Kay (Etienne de Flacourt, L'Histoire de le Grand Ile de Madagascar (1658), an article by Adam Brit, Colin Clubbe and Tianjanahary Ranarivelo (Conserving Madagascar's Plant Diversity: Kew's Madagascar Threatened Plants Project), and a book review of The Natural HIstory of Madagascar by Steven M. Goodman and Jonathan P. Benstead.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2005. Volume 22(1): 1-88. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Phragmipedium kovachii (Carol Woodin); Paphiopedilum vietnamense (Carol Woodin); Masdevallia idae (Stig Dalstrom); Masdevallia niesseniae (Stig Dalstrom); Bartholina burmanniana (Elbe Joubert); Bulbophyllum echinolabium (Linda Gurr); Eria sessilifolia (Susan Sex, Judi Stone); Dimorphorchis rossii var. graciliscapa (Carolina de Bassi); Paralophia epiphytica (Christabel King); Psychopsis limminghei (Linda Gurr); Trichocentrum dianthum (Franco Pupulin); Anguloa tognettiae (Gillian Barlow). Also in this issue are articles by Mark W. Chase (Classification of Orchidaceae in the Age of DNA Data), and article by Phillip Crib (Wild Orchids in Sichuan), and book reviews of The Orchid Paintings of John Day (1863 to 1888) by Phillip Cribb and Michael Tibs, Ireland's Wild Orchids by Susan Sex and Brendan Sayers, Orchid Conservation by Kingsley W. Dixon, Shelagh P. Kell, Russell L. Barrett and Phillip J. Cribb, Orchids from the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society by Mark Griffiths and Field Guide to Ethiopian Orchids by Sebsebe Demissew, Phillip Cribb and Fin Rasmussen.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2005. Volume 22(2): 89-146. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Dendrochilum javierense (Linda Gurr); Aloe affinis (Gillian Condy); Clematis urophylla (Christabel King); Maihuenia poeppigii (Christabel King); Lathyrus davidii (Christabel King); Digitalis minor (Joanna Langhorne); Primula moupinensis (Christabel King). Also in this issue is an article by Alfonso Susanna and Teresa Garnatje (Some Narcissus from Northern Iberia) featuring the pencil drawings of Joaquim Conca and book reviews of Endangered Plants of Japan: A Florilegium by Hideaki Ohba, Portraits of a Botanical Artist by Pauline M. Dean, George Forrest, Plant Hunter by Brenda McLean, and The Dapuri Drawings. Alexander Gibson and the Bombay Botanic Garden by H.J. Noltie.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2005. Volume 22(3): 147-198. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Impatiens morsei (Christabel King); Leontodon rigens (Deborah Lambkin); Cosmos peucedanifolius (Deborah Lambkin); Nerine Pusilla (Elbe Joubert); Lachenalia sargeantii (Elbe Joubert); Fritillaria koidzumiana (Joanna Langhorne). Also in this issue is an article by Tokio Naito (The Endemic Fritillaria Species of Japan) and a book review of Plants from the Edge of the World: New Explorations in the Far East by Mark Flanagan and Tony Kirkham.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2005. Volume 22(4): 199-242. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Saruma henryi (Joanna Langhorne); Impatiens namchabarwensis (Deborah Lambkin); Sorbus filipes (Gillian Barlow); Rosa chinensis f. spontanea (Christabel King); Betula insignis (Christabel King); Corylus x Vilmorinii (Christabel King); Viburnum parvifolium (Carolina de Bassi, Christabel King). Also in this issue are book reviews of Flowers of Crete by John Fielding and NIcholas Turland, Flower Paintings of the Apothecaries' Garden by Andrew Brown, The Gardener's Peony by Martin Page, Dogwoods by Paul Cappiello and Don Shadow, and Witch Hazels by Chris Lane.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2006. Volume 23(1): 1-144. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Quercus x Warburgii (Georita Harriott); Smilax bona-nox 'Cantab' (Georita Harriott); Rosa x pteragonis 'Cantabrigiensis' (Georita Harriott); Alchemilla speciosa (Georita Harriott); Geranium christensenianum (Georita Harriott); Fritillaria poluninii (Georita Harriott); Lonicera setifera (Georita Harriott); Tilia endochrysea (Georita Harriott); Rosmarinus eriocalyx (Georita Harriott); Senecio paludosus (Georita Harriott); Platycarya strobilacea (Georita Harriott); Aristolochia cathcartii (Georita Harriott); Cantab Plants (Ann V. Webster). Also in this issue are articles by James Cullen (Max Walters, An Appreciation), by John Parker (The Development of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden), by Peter Kerley, Eric Hsu, Tim Upson and David Franklin (Champion and Noteworthy Trees), by Tim Upson, Peter Michna and Juliet Day (The Fen Display Redevelopment), by Juliet Day (Reginald Cory, Benefactor of Cambridge University Botanic Garden), by Georita Harriott (The Broughton Collection) featuring the artwork of Jan Brueghel and Pieter Withoos and a book review of The Genus Sorbus. Mountain Ash and other Rowans by Hugh McAllister.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2006. Volume 23(2): 145-212. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Ixia tenuifolia (Elbe Joubert); Polystachya longiscapa (Christabel King); Eucrosia mirabilis (Christabel King); Impatiens salpinx (Sandra Burrows); Sonchus acaulis (Christabel King). Also in this issue are articles by Christopher Grey-Wilson (The True Identity of Meconopsis napaulensis DC) featuring the artwork of W.H. Fitch, Matilda Smith, Stella Ross-Craig and C. Grey-Wilson.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2006. Volume 23(3): 213-262. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Clematis delavayi (Christabel King); Vicia sylvatica (Gillian Barlow, Stella Ross-Craig); Passiflora miniata (Daphne Barnes, John Vanderplank); Passiflora longicuspis (Daphne Barnes, John Vanderplank); Passiflora gabrielliana (Daphne Barnes, John Vanderplank); Passiflora pardifolia (Christabel King, John Vanderplank). Also in this issue are articles by E. Charles Nelson (A Portrais of Bartle Grant, by Marilyn Ward and Martyn Rix (Stella Ross-Craig (1906-2006) and Curtis's Botanical Magazine featuring the artwork of Stella Ross-Craig and book reviews of Threatened Plants of Central and South Chile. Distribution, Conservation and Propagation by Martin F. Gardiner, Paulina Hechenleitner V., Philip I. Thomas, Cristian Echeverria, Bernado Escobar, Peter Brownless and Camila Martinez A. and Grow Fynbos Plants. A Practical Guide to the Propagation and Cultivation of Plants from Some of the Major Families of the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa by Neville Brown and Graham Duncan.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 2006. Volume 23(4): 263-346. Martyn Rix, editor. Blackwell Publishing for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

This issue contains information, illustrations and color plates of the plants listed below. Artists' names are in parentheses. Ratibida columnifera var. pulcherrima (Rachel Pedder-Smith, Lucy Smith); Ageratina ligustrina (Deborah Lambkin, Margaret Tebbs); Berkheya purpurea (Rachel Peddler-Smith, Lucy Smith); Centaurea clementei (Christabel King); Cotula fallax (Deborah Lambkin, Margaret Tebbs); Dendroseris litoralis (Christabel King). Also in this issue are articles by Nicholas Hind (On the Compositae) and Nicholas Hind and James Kay (A Nature Print of Petasites japonicus subsp. giganteus.

Dahms, David. 1999. Rocky Mountain Wildflowers Pocket Guide. Paragon Press. ISBN: 0-9646359-2-5

A nice pocket guide filled with clear color photographs and straightforward descriptions of each featured plant. The size of this guide (4.5" x 6") and its spiral binding make it a practical choice for your field bag while in the Rockies.

Dole, Jim W. and Betty B. Rose. 1996. An Amateur Botanist's Identification Manual for the Shrubs and Trees of the Southern California Coastal Region and Mountains. Foot-loose Press. ISBN: 0-9654151-1-2

Dole and Rose describe flower structure, leaf structure, scientific nomenclature, and desert plant communities, then carefully lead amateur botanists through the keying out process. Keys contain illustrations of important plant characteristics when necessary. Each plant listing features information about a plant's range, information about it's identifying traits, as well as an illustration of these characteristics.

Dole, Jim W. and Betty B. Rose. 1996. An Amateur Botanist's Identification Manual for the Shrubs and Trees of the Southern California Deserts. Foot-loose Press. ISBN: 0-965415104

Dole and Rose describe flower structure, leaf structure, scientific nomenclature, and desert plant communities, then carefully lead amateur botanists through the keying out process. Keys contain illustrations of important plant characteristics when necessary. Each plant listing features information about a plant's range, information about it's identifying traits, as well as an illustration of these characteristics.

Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries. 1992. The Visual Dictionary of Plants. DK Publishing, Inc. ISBN: 1-56458-016-4

Beautiful photographs are labeled clearly in this book, whose objective is to introduce plant lovers to the anatomy and morphology of fungi, lichens, algae, seaweed, mosses, ferns, gynmosperms, and flowering plants.

Gibson, Arthur C. and Park S. Nobel. 1986. The Cactus Primer. Harvard University Press. ISBN: 0-674-08991-X

This book is a good read. Of particular interest to botanical artists is the section on phyllotaxy (how leaves are arranged along a stem) and the Fibonacci Sequence. Gibson and Nobel describe cactus morphology and physiology. This book contains many helpful and informative B&W photographs and illustrations.

Glimn-Lacy, Janice and Peter B. Kaufman. 1984. Botany Illustrated. International Thomson Publishing. ISBN: 0-412-07871-6

A guide which enables artists to learn the characteristics of selected plant families by coloring the line drawings in the book. Artists follow a prescribed color-coding system to learn the various parts of a plant. This paperback book is very expensive. However, artists will learn a lot by taking the time to work through this book. Artists should tackle one family at a time. If the family of the specimen you are holding in your hand is in this book, take a few moments to read about this family and to color the plant shown.

Glimn-Lacy, Janice and Peter B. Kaufman. 2006. Botany Illustrated. Second edition. Springer. ISBN: 978-0387-28870-3

A guide which enables artists to learn the characteristics of selected plant families by coloring the line drawings in the book. Artists follow a prescribed color-coding system to learn the various parts of a plant. Each page of text has been updated. The cost of this book is now much more palatable. This second edition is long overdue! [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Grennan, Albert J. 1999. Coastal Sage Scrub Plants of Southern California. Pacific Botanical Press. San Diego, California. ISBN: 0-9718529-1-X

Grennan is an instructor at San Diego Mesa College. He created this picture key for his students so that they may identify plants in the field more easily. This key contains only plants commonly found in this plant community. Grennan scanned specimens of each plant and it is these scans that make this book helpful and practical. To purchase this book, contact the museum store at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Grennan, Albert J. 2002. Cis-Montane Plants of Southern California Coast to Mountains. Pacific Botanical Press. San Diego, California. ISBN: 0-97D18529-290000

Grennan is an instructor at San Diego Mesa College. He created this picture key for his students so that they may identify plants in the field more easily. This key keys out to family. Helpful drawings and scanned images of plants and specific plant parts make this book helpful and practical. To purchase this book, contact the museum store at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Gubernick, David J. 2002. Wildflowers of Monterey County, A Field Companion. Carmel Publishing Company. ISBN: 1-886312-17-6

It would be insulting to call this book a "coffee table" book. This reference, neither a formal field guide or a simple picture book, is a balanced mix of botany and photography. Gubernick (the photographer) and Yadon (the botanist) have created a wonderful introduction to the plants of Monterey County. Plants are arranged by region throughout the book. At the back of the book, thumbnail images of each plant are arranged by color. In the Resource section, readers will find information about the following: Wildflower Drives, Walks, and Hikes; Road Conditions; Guided Wildflower Workshops, Walks and Hikes; Public Gardens and Viewing Areas; What's Blooming and Where?; Wildflower Events; Wildflower Classes; Wildflower Photography Workshops; Wildflower Websites; Local Wildflower Nurseries; Local Wildflower-related Organizations; Federal, State, and Regional Agencies; and books for further reading.

Halsted, Caroline A. 1835. The Little Botanist or Steps to the Attainment of Botanical Knowledge. John Harris, St.Paul's Church-Yard; John Cumming, Dublin; Waugh and Innes, and William Wilson, Edinburgh.

One of the true treasures in our collection is an introductory botany book that was published in 1835. This book is not a college text, but instead an introductory botany book for children. The botany lessons in this book are presented as a conversation between a mother and a young child. These conversations are modeled after actual conversations the author had with a nine-year old family friend.

Harlow, William M. 1946. Fruit Key & Twig Key to Trees & Shrubs. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN: 0-486-20511-8

Nicely organized keys to fruits and twigs. The keys are written in everyday English and are free from heavy botanical terminology. More than 350 B&W photographs of different fruit types and twigs are presented clearly. The plants included in these two keys grow in the northeastern United States.

Harris, James G. and Melinda Woolf Harris. 2001. Plant Identification Terminology - An Illustrated Glossary of Plant Identification Terminology. Spring Lake Publishing. ISBN: 0-9640221-6-8

This dictionary of botanical terms and illustrations is an invaluable reference for the botanical artist. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Heller, Ruth. 1983. The Reason for a Flower. Published in 1999 by Penquin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0-698-11559-7

Heller introduces children to the concepts of pollination, seed development, seed dispersal, fruit development, food plants, herbivory, and flowerless plants (i.e., mushrooms). This book is a great gift for naturalists age 5 - 8. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Hickey, Michael and Clive King. 2002. The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0-521-79401-3

A great resource for the botanical artist. Read a review of this book published in the Southern California Botanical Artist (May 2002).

Hickman, James C. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. ISBN: 0-520-08255-9

A key covering native plants and introduced plants that have become part of the California landscape. This key is very technical. It is recommended that artists have books such as Borror (1971), Harris & Harris (2001), and Hickey & King (2002) handy when working through this book. Of these three books, Harris & Harris (2001) is a must.

Knapp, Sandra. 2003. Plant Discoveries. Firefly Books Ltd. ISBN: 1-55297-810-9

Botanist Sandra Knapp uses inspiring botanical artwork from the collections at the Natural History Museum in London to tell a story about plant explorers and the artists who documented their discoveries. Knapp also weaves in fascinating tidbits about the history of botany, plant biology and plant taxonomy. The following plants are featured in this book: arums, sugar bushes & banksias, peonies, water lilies, grasses & sedges, daffodils, cacti & succulents, magnolias, hibiscus, roses, palms, daisies & sunflowers, passionflowers, conifers, poppies, heathers, irises, gentians, tulips, and morning glories.[ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Lanner, Ronald M. 2002. Conifers of California. Cachuma Press. ISBN: 0-9628505-4-3

A very informative book about the California members of the Pinaceae (Pine Family), Cupressaceae (Cypress Family, Taxodiaceae (Baldcypress Family), and Taxaceae (Yew Family). Lanner discusses the history of each species and explains how to identify each species from a distance, while standing underneath them, and while holding certain parts of each species in your hand. All but five of the species described in this book are accompanied by the detailed and informative watercolor paintings of Finnish, Russian-born artist, Eugene Murman (1874-1962). The other five beautifully detailed paintings are by California artist, Susan Bazell. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University. 1976. Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada. Reprinted in 2000 by Barnes & Noble,Inc. ISBN: 0-7607-2116-5

An invaluable guide to the botanical artist. Since many artist draw cultivated plants, this work belongs on every artist's bookshelf. Included in this book are plants cultivated in the U.S., Canada, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Artists will find the scientific names of "34,305 families, genera, and species, and a large number of subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars." Not to mention descriptive information about each plant.

Luce, Ron. 2003. Easy Day Hikes Around Mammoth.

Written and illustrated by Ron Luce, the owner of Mammoth Art Supply, this handy guide to the trails around Mammoth is a great addition to your travel library. Luce provides clear directions and includes the small details that only a local can provide (e.g., "...after awhile, you can hear the water tumbling down the river on the right."). He also provides information about mileage and an illustration for each of the fifteen (15) hikes he describes. Luce includes information about the types of trees you'll see along nine of the trails. HIkes range in length from 1/2 mile to 7 miles. Soft cover, 5.5" x 8.5" This book is published by the author and is distributed by Mammoth Art Supply.

MacKay, Pam. 2003. Mojave Desert Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of the Mojave Desert, Including the Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park. The Globe Pequot Press. ISBN: 0-7627-1162-0

Flowering plants are arranged by flower color and non-flowering plants are arranged by type. Wonderful photographs are paired with a description of each plant. Included in each description is a plant's flowering season, habitat/range, and other comments of interest. The book begins with MacKay's description of the Mojave Desert, it's topography, geology, and plant communities. This book highlights plants that are often overlooked, as well as plants that are rare or unique to the Mojave Desert. Use this guide in conjunction with another field guide containing the more common plants of the Mojave Desert.

McKinley, Michael. 2005. Ortho Complete Guide to Orchids. Ortho. ISBN: 0-89721-506-0

Artists can learn about the history of orchids, orchid botany, how to purchase orchids, and how to care for them too. Twenty-nine genera and over 500 orchids are featured. A pronunciation guide is provided for each genera. This book is endorsed by the American Orchid Society.

Monroe, Lynn & Gene. 2004. Butterflies & Their Favorite Flowering Plants (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® & Environs). Merryleaf Press. A Granite Ridge Nature Book. ISBN: 0-9615125-2-0.

This guide features 134 butterlies that can be observed in the desert, chaparral and montane areas of East San Diego County. The authors documented 134 butterflies and include color photographs showing each butterfly species on their respective food plants. Photos were taken by the authors in the field. Included in each species description is information about catepillar food plants. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Morhardt, Sia and Emil Morhardt. 2004. California Desert Wildflowers: An Introduction to Families, Genera, and Species. University of California Press. ISBN: 0-520-24003-0.

Morhardt and Morhardt focus on the desert plants most likely to catch your attention while enjoying the flowering plants in both the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. A total of twenty-four plant families are described. The authors have kept the use of technical jargon to a minimum. The key characteristics of each plant family are identified and described with clear line drawings and labeled photographs. Color photographs accompany the keys to each family and descriptions to each plant. Fits nicely into a backpack with your field sketching supplies.

Munz, Phillip A. 2004. Introduction to California Desert Wildflowers. Revised edition. California Natural History Guides No. 74. University of California Press. ISBN: 0-520-23632-7.

The plants in this guide are arranged by flower color. Ferns and fern allies have their own section. Each plant description is paired with a color photograph, a line drawing, or both. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Nash, Ned and Isobyl La Croix. 2005. Flora's Orchids. Timber Press. ISBN: 0-88192-721-X

This book contains information for over 1,500 orchids. Beautiful photography. Contains a cultivation guide for each of the orchids featured in the book.

Paruk, Jim. 1997. Sierra Nevada Tree Identifier. Yosemite Association. ISBN: 0-939666-83-9

A straightforward easy-to-use key focused on 45 trees native to the Sierra Nevada in California. Covered are 20 conifers and 24 flowering trees. Written specifically for "individuals with little or no experience" with plant keys, this book will fit nicely in your field bag next to your sketchbook. If you want to use a more technical key while in the Sierras or while visiting Yosemite, try Hickman (1993) or Botti (2001).

Phillips, Roger. 1978. Trees of North America and Europe. Random House, Inc. ISBN: 0-394-73541-2

This book will come to an artist's rescue everytime. Closeup photographs of leaves, needles, fruit, cones, and bark make it an invaluable source of reference photographs. Especially exciting are: the 49-page leaf index; 25 pages of photographs of fir, pine, & spruce cones; and the 5 pages of bark photographs.

Phillips, Roger & Martyn Rix. 1989. Bulbs. Random House, Inc. ISBN: 0-679-72756-6

A helpful reference for any artist whose subject matter comes primarily from their garden. Concise plant descriptions, whole-plant photographs, and closeup photography make this book a very useful reference. Artists will especially like the whole-plant photographs featuring flowers, leaves, bulbs, and roots. Note: Plant names may have changed since this book was first published. Use this book in conjunction with a more recent reference.

Phillips, Roger & Martyn Rix. 1991. Perennials - Early Perennials (Vol. 1). Random House, Inc. ISBN: 0-679-73797-9

A helpful reference for any artist whose subject matter comes primarily from their garden. Concise plant descriptions, whole-plant photographs, and closeup photography make this book, as well as Volume 1, very useful references. Note: Plant names may have changed since this book was first published. Use this book in conjunction with a more recent reference.

Phillips, Roger & Martyn Rix. 1991. Perennials - Late Perennials (Vol. 2). Random House, Inc. ISBN: 0-679-73798-7

A helpful reference for any artist whose subject matter comes primarily from their garden. Concise plant descriptions, whole-plant photographs, and closeup photography make this book, as well as Volume 2, very useful references. Note: Plant names may have changed since this book was first published. Use this book in conjunction with a more recent reference.

Phillips, Roger & Martyn Rix. 2002. The Botanical Garden (Vol. I): Trees and Shrubs. Firefly Books. ISBN: 1-55297-591-6

This book, and Volume I, are similar to Phillips' & Rix's earlier books (see above). Selected genera are described in concise paragraphs and are photographed beautifully. What is different about these books is that the genera are arranged by family. These books will make any plant lover's heart race.

Phillips, Roger & Martyn Rix. 2002. The Botanical Garden (Vol. II): Perennials and Annuals. Firefly Books. ISBN: 1-55297-592-4

This book, and Volume II, are similar to Phillips' & Rix's earlier books (see above). Selected genera are described in concise paragraphs and are photographed beautifully. What is different about these books is that the genera are arranged by family. These books will make any plant lover's heart race.

Riley, John J. and David P. Banks. 2002. Orchids of Australia. Princeton University Press. ISBN: 0-691-11490-0

One hundred fifty of Australia's native orchids are described in this colorful reference book. Each species is illustrated by Australian botanical artist, John J. Riley. Riley's full-page illustrations consist of a life-size drawing of each featured species and magnified drawings of each species' respective flower parts. Opposite each illustration is the following information about each plant: Type Locality, Etymology (the meaning behind a plant's name), Distribution, Distinguishing Features, Habitat, Conservation Status, and Discussion (miscellaneous information). Riley used watercolor pencils to create his detailed botanical drawings. This book is the first in a series. Each volume will contain information about 150 of Australia's terrestrial and epiphytic orchids.

Sandved, Kjell B and Ghillean Tolmie Prance. 1985. Leaves: The formation, characteristics, and uses of hundreds of leaves found in all parts of the world. Crown Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 0-517-551527

A book about leaves and nothing but leaves. Fascinating! Sandved and Prance's book is very informative and is illustrated beautifully with pages of closeup color photographs. Leaf morphology and biology is explained. Several different aspects of leaves are also described in the book's 23 chapters. Each chapter is dedicated to one aspect of leaf morphology &/or function. You'll find chapters on topics such as: young leaves, variegated leaves, floating leaves, succulent leaves, leaves that defend themselves, leaf hairs, and leaves as homes, just to name a few.

Sheehan, Tom and Marion. 1994. An Illustrated Survey of Orchid Genera. Timber Press. ISBN: 0-88192-288-9

Excellent reference covering 158 genera. Each genus description includes a pronunciation guide and is accompanied by a color plate featuring a painting of a representative plant in flower and a dissected flower. The glossary contains terminology and many, many illustrations artists will find useful and educational.

Spellenberg, Richard. 2003. Sonoran Desert Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Common Species of the Sonoran Desert, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Saguaro National Park, Oregon Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and the Sonoran Portion of Joshua Tree National Park. The Globe Pequot Press. ISBN: 0-7627-1136-1

Flowering plants are arranged by flower color. Wonderful photographs are paired with a description of each plant. Included in each description is a plant's flowering season, habitat/range, and other comments of interest. Spellenberg introduces readers to the Sonoran Desert by describing its origins and its plant communities. He also describes how plants are able to survive in this desert region.

Stearn, William T. 1996. Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. Timber Press, Inc. ISBN: 0-88192-556-X

Stearn explains the meaning of 6,000 plant names most likely to be encountered by gardeners and horticulturists. Each listing also includes the name of the plant family to which a plant belongs. Use this reference with Coombes (1999) and with Borror (1971).

Stewart, Jon Mark. 1993. Colorado Desert Wildflowers: A Guide to the Flowering Plants of the Low Desert, Including the Coachella Valley, Anza-Borrego Desert, and portions of Joshua Tree National Monument. Jon Mark Stewart. ISBN: 0-9634909-0-7

Stewart's field guide focuses on over 100 of the most common plants found in the Colorado Desert. The plants in this book are arranged by color and grouped taxonomically within each color group. Large clear photographs and brief descriptions of each plant make this an easy guide to use.

Stewart, Jon Mark. 1998. Mojave Desert Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the High Desert Wildflowers of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Jon Mark Stewart. ISBN: 0-9634909-1-5

Stewart's field guide focuses on plants occurring in the "Mojave Desert region of southeastern California, northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and the extreme southwestern tip of Utah." The plants in this book are arranged by color and grouped taxonomically within each color group. Large clear photographs and brief descriptions of each plant make this an easy guide to use.

Symonds, George W. D. 1958. The Tree Identification Book. William Morrow & Company, Inc. ISBN: 0-688-05039-5

Comprised of over 1,500 B&W photographs, this book contains visual keys for opposite leaves, buds, & branching; thorns; leaves; flowers; fruit; twigs & buds; and bark. It is designed so that you can compare your specimen to photos in the key and, by the process of elimination, determine to which genus your specimen belongs. If you never use the keys and only use the photos as reference material, that's okay. The photos in this book are great reference photos, and most of them are to scale. The trees included in this book grow in the northeastern U.S. (Maine into Canada), "west to North Dakota and south into Texas and along the Gulf of Mexico to northern Florida." Note: Plant names may have changed since this book was first published. Use this book in conjunction with a more recent reference.

Symonds, George W. D. 1963. The Shrub Identification Book. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 0-688-05040-9

Comprised of 3,550 B&W photographs, this book contains visual keys for thorns/prickles/bristles, leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs, and bark. It is designed so that you can compare your specimen to photos in the key and, by the process of elimination, determine to which genus your specimen belongs. If you never use the keys and only use the photos as reference material, that's okay. The photos in this book are great reference photos, and most of them are to scale (some photos are a bit dark, however). The shrubs included in this book grow in the eastern U.S. and Canada. Note: Plant names may have changed since this book was first published. Use this book in conjunction with a more recent reference.

TerBeest, Char and Rhonda Nass. 1988. Gifts from the Earth: A Basketmaker's Field Guide to Midwest Plants and Botanicals. Ampersand. ISBN: 0-9614795-1-5.

Created for basketmakers, nature enthusiasts and artists, this field guide contains beautiful graphite illustrations of each plant. Illustrations are accompanied by written descriptions as well as information on when to collect each plant, how to collect each plant, as well as how to store and prep each plant for basketmaking. The following groups of plants are discussed: Willow & Other Twigs (dogwood, forsythia, willow); Bark (basswood, birch, hickory, poplar); Vines (bittersweet, grape, honeysuckle, ivy, morning glory, Virginia creeper, wisteria); Leaves & Grasses (cattail, daylily, flag, rush, sedge, sweetgrass); Trees (ash, elm, maple, oak); Others (ctalpa, corn, pine, roots, sumac). [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Trelease, William. 1967. Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN: 0-486-21800-7

This is a republication of the third edition of this book that was published by the author in 1931. Winter specimens are keyed out using a dichotomous key. Covers plants in the Northern United States. Glossary. 1,000 line drawings. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

Watts, May Theilgaard and Tom Watts. 1974. Desert Tree Finder. Nature Study Guild Publishers. ISBN: 0-912550-07-4

This visual key is a nifty pocket guide to help you learn the key traits and shapes of trees found in deserts and desert foothill areas.

Wingate, Janet L. 1990. Rocky Mountain Flower Finder. Nature Study Guild, Rochester, NY. ISBN: 0-912550-20-1

This very small pocket book is a handy reference to plants that grow below tree line in the six Rocky Mountain states (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico). It contains a glossary of terms that pertain to flowers, leaves, and life zones. It also contains a family key and a key to plants with small flowers (i.e., flowers 6 mm or less in diameter). Ugh! is right.

Wrysinski, Jeanette. 2000. Know Your Natives: A Pictorial Guide to California Native Grasses. Yolo County Resource Conservation District.

This informative guide was written for landowners, ranchers, farmers, individuals who want to incorporate native grasses into the landscaping around their home, and anyone with an interest in understanding grasses. Descriptions for each grass species includes information about the following: Common Name, Latin Name, Former/Other Name(s), Season of Growth, Reproduction/Spread, Elevation Range, Mature Plant Height, Flower Characteristics, Seed, General Description, Habitat, Field Use Notes. Accompanying each description are photographs of a plant as a seedling and as a mature plant. Then there are photographs of a plant's seed heads and of its individual seeds. This guide can be purchased from the California Native Grasslands Association.

Zomlefer, Wendy. B. 1994. Guide to Flowering Plant Families. University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 0-8078-4470-5

A great book written by a botanist and an illustrator. Zomlefer's illustrations are very clear. Artists should have Harris & Harris (2001) handy in order to work through this book. [ArtPlantae Books Catalog]

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