Flora of North America North of Mexico: Vol. 3: Magnoliophyta; Magnolidae and Hamamelidae

Abstract

Review: Flora of North America North of Mexico Edited by Flora of North America Editorial Committee Reviewed by Paula Wolfe University of Wyoming Flora of North American North of Mexico: V.3: Magnoliophyta: Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae, ed. Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Oxford, 1997. 3v. 590pp. US $85.00. ISBN 0-19-511246-6. Conceived nearly 30 years ago, the Flora of North America series is intended as a guide for identification, and a systematic conspectus, of the North American flora. So far, one can see that both goals are very nicely being met. The third volume, of an expected 30 volumes, maintains the high standards for flora descriptions begun in volume 2, The Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Volume 1 is a set of essays by recognized authorities on plants in their physical, ecological, systematic, and historical settings. The success of a series such as this depends upon a clear mission, consistency of structure, maintenance of high standards, and reviewing each issue for needed alterations and additions. In keeping with the mission of the Flora editorial board, this third volume has maintained the mission with a thoroughly referenced treatment of a plant Division. This volume treats the Magnoliophyta, including 15 Orders, 32 families, 128 genera, and 741 species. These include plants such as the buttercup, walnut, beech, and nettle. As with all the treatments, local flora publications will still be necessary. This, of course, is understandable; no series, even 30 volumes, can properly treat all geographic areas and the local flora. (Volume 22, The Butomaceae to Haemadoraceae, has just been sent to the publisher and is due in 1999. As with most floristic series, the volumes will be published out of order, when the experts have finished writing and editing.) As with the previous volumes, experts have reviewed the literature and examined herbarium specimens when possible. Important for botanists, students, or biodiversity specialists, are the features for each species. The geographic range is listed and maps are included along with the accepted names, descriptions, habitat summaries, and (unlike most flora publications) the chromosome number and phenologies. The literature citations are listed within each volume. Volume 30 will be a comprehensive, consolidated bibliography. The illustrated species, beautifully done, are regrettably