Product Description

Plant identification employs an extensive and complex terminology. Professional botanists often need several years in the field to master this terminology, and it presents a daunting obstacle to the student of botany.

The meaning of most botanical terms, however, is immediately apparent when an illustration is available. That is the purpose of this volume. Plant Identification Terminology provides over nineteen hundred clear illustrations of terms used in plant identification keys and descriptions. It also includes definitions for more than twenty-seven hundred taxonomic terms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14138 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

From Library Journal
A useful glossary that clearly explains and illustrates myriad confusing terms likely to turn up in botanical reference sources.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This comprehensive, illustrated guide to phytography, the descriptive terminology of plants, was designed as a companion to a textbook for students of botany. Noting that the glossaries of most textbooks are inadequate, and that other field guides include scientific terminology definitions, the Harrises created this handbook to easily convey the meaning of botanical terms with a simple illustration and a short descriptive note.

In alphabetical arrangement, part 1 details more than 2,400 commonly used terms in plant descriptions and identifications coordinated with more than 1,700 illustrations. Included are common usage, historical definition, and divergent usages of terms. No pronounciation guide is included. Part 2 includes terminology grouped in related areas, for example, roots (parts, shapes, types); stems (parts, types, forms); leaves (bases, apices, attachments); surfaces; inflorescences (parts, types, forms); flowers (symmetry, pollination systems, number of floral structure); and fruits (parts, type).

While Taxonomic Terminology of the Higher Plants by Henry Ira Featherly (Iowa State Univ. Press, 1954, reprinted 1965) is similar in scope, it does not include any illustrations. The line drawings enhance the potential usefulness of this reasonably priced handbook of taxonomic terms for both professional botantists and students. It is a recommended addition to both public and academic library botany collections.

Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Sept/Oct 1994
This wonderful little gem of a book is a must-have.

Customer Reviews

Plant Parts
Plants are confusing and the name connected to a plant part is not always clear. This book, with its many line drawings, makes identification much easier when you are using a plant identification key. I recommend it, not so much for in the field but when you are at home with specimens in front of you and a key beside you. rp

Plant Identification Terminology
Excellent text. I do a lot of botany and plant identification. This is the best book for terms I have ever used. Virtually all terms I need are well illustrated.

not a user-friendly book
In this book, plant ID terminology is arranged by plant structure category - by roots, stems, leaves, etcetera. Some plant keys do not indicate on what structure a particular character is located. This would not be an issue if the book had an INDEX! It does not! So when you come to the part in the plant key that says "perianth absent or reduced to very minute scales" where do you begin looking for the definition of "perianth"? Do you look for it in the leaf section? Root section? If there was an index in this book it would be much more user-friendly.