Woody Plants of the Southwest: a Field Guide with Descriptive Text, Drawings, Range Maps, and Photographs

Much more than a catalog of trees and shrubs, Woody Plants of the Southwest is an encyclopedia-like discussion covering all except the herbaceous vegetation of portions of the southwestern United States and a narrow strip of adjoining Mexico. Samuel H. Lamb has not only identified hundreds of woody plants, but has arranged them by families, explained their Latin names, and has provided a brief biography of persons, primarily botanists, who have been honored by having their names included in the accepted scientific nomenclature. He has also provided one or more common names in English and Spanish. Photographs, and in some cases sketches, of portions of plants help in their recognition. Maps of southwestern states broken down by counties, are used to point out the distribution one each species, and effects of elevation are illustrated by listing the life zone in which each species is most at home. Certainly this book is a welcome addition to the botany and natural history of the southwestern United States, and is worthy of inclusion in any library. The book is a winner of the Border Regional Library Association Award for literary excellence and enrichment of the cultural heritage of the American Southwest.