Guide to the Vascular Plants of the Blue Ridge

By B. Eugene Wofford

Book Overview

The mountainous Blue Ridge, perhaps the most botanically diverse region in the eastern United States, extends for more than five hundred miles, the bulk of the area falling within eighty-five counties of five states: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The area has attracted the attention of botanists for nearly two centuries, yet no comprehensive work has previously been available that catalogs its rich floristic abundance.

Addressing the needs of professional and amateur botanists interested in the Blue Ridge, B. Eugene Wofford's guide makes it possible to identify all the region's native and naturalized plant life--representing 161 families, 726 genera, and 2,391 species and lesser taxa. Among the flora to be found in the Blue Ridge are a number of species that have been identified as rare or endangered. The volume contains an introduction instructing readers on the use of the guide; a glossary of terms with selected illustrations; a map of the region; a key to the major plant groups; and keys to the Pteridophyte, Gymnosperm, Monocot, and Dicot families as well as to genera, species and lesser taxa. The species and lesser taxa enumeration following each genus contains the scientific name, common name or names, general habitat preferences, frequency and area of occurrence, flowering or sporulating periods, and pertinent taxonomic and nonmenclatural synonyms.

The keys for identification rely primarily on easily identified flowering or sporulating material and can be interpreted by all users, from beginners and amateurs to experienced professionals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0820324558
• ISBN13: 9780820324555
• Release Date: August 1989
• Publisher: University of Georgia Press
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Good from a technical aspect

I was required to purchase a copy of this book when I attended a plant identification class. In the classroom, using a microscope, this book was a great asset. It is very through. It is not for the casual wild flower enthusiast who is just going for a walk in the park.

Good technical key

This is an excellent key for trained botanists (or very knowledgable amateurs) who want to identify the flora of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the southeast United States. However, it is not a book for the untrained, casual observer of wildflowers. The dichotomous key is easy to follow, though I wished the habitat descriptions were more detailed. The lack of illustrations is distressing -- sometimes a picture IS worth a thousand words! However, I appreciate that illustrations are expensive and would have increased the size of the book. It is easily carried in the field -- always a plus.