Product Description

The Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants represents the first comprehensive taxonomic treatment of succulents in thirty years. It covers over 9000 taxa of all succulents except Cactaceae. This up-to-date work is ideally suited for anyone interested in these fascinating plants, including hobbyists, plant scientists, horticulturalists and herbarium staff. This volume on monocotyledons presents succulents from 17 families and 64 genera, totalling some 1100 species and over 200 infraspecific taxa. The families Agavaceae, Aloaceae and Doryanthaceae are covered in their entirety. The most important genera are Agave (Century Plants) with approx. 200 species, and Aloe (Aloes) with about 450. Other major genera included are: Haworthia, Bulbine and Sansevieria, each with approx. 60 species. In addition, a wide variety of bulbous xerophytes from several genera are described.

Keywords: desert plants, plant systematics, succulents, xerophytic adaptation, monocotyledons

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #293104 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Customer Reviews

Barely Illustrated Handbook of Succulents
Considered by many to be the ultimate references on the subject matter, the 6 volume set published under the series title "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants" is a real let down. The series attempts to capture comprehensive information relative to identification of species based upon the cut and dry taxonomic and morphologic features, typical of these types of guides. Where the books fail is in the lack of illustrations. The total species illustrated under each genus seems to be a random scattering of fair to outstanding photographs. The images are too small to be really useful for detailed examination. Although the book does illustrate some of the odd ball species, it fails miserably in providing enough images to make it worthy of the title "Illustrated". The cost of the series is quite high, but not unusual for a book with such high print and construction standards. The amount of money you save by not buying this volume is better spent picking up some of the older works on the subject matter that are truly illustrated. In closing, a lot of money for text that can be found online and with better pictures for free. Avoid unless you are an avid collector and need an identification key that was dated the day it was printed.

Monocotiledoni
Il libro è ben fatto (forse un po troppo stringato nelle descrizioni) e le foto a colori precise e di esemplari molto esplicativi. Forse l'aggiunta di chiavi per la determinazione delle specie sarebbe stata un aggiunta gradita da molti... e la maggior grandezza delle foto sarebbe stata un plus valore.

Il libro comunque rimane un must !