Review by Choice Review
Jones has prepared for horticulturists a synopsis of palms likely to be found in cultivation (some 800 species in 123 genera out of a total of approximately 2600 species in 200 genera). About 100 pages provide an introduction to the family, covering structure, economic importance, biology, cultivation, pests and diseases, propagation, and palms recommended for container growing. Another 260 or so pages furnish an alphabetical listing of genera and species. Each treatment includes information about generic and specific descriptions, native area, vernacular name(s), derivation of generic names and meanings of specific epithets, and paragraphs on cultivation and propagation. The book is aimed at tropical and subtropical horticulturists who are growing or who wish to grow palms--but it is useful for anyone interested in these plants. Copiously illustrated with crisp color photographs. Glossary. All levels. G. P. DeWolf Jr. emeritus, Massachusetts Bay Community College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Jones divides this encyclopedic work into two parts. The first part deals with structure, economic importance (many communities in the tropics and subtropics depend on palms for their livelihood), cultivation, and pests and diseases. The second part is a 265-page alphabetical listing of about 800 species in 123 genera. Each entry offers information on the plant's origin, distribution, and habitat and describes its general appearance (height as well as the configuration of fronds, leaflets, flowers, and fruit). Included are 445 color photographs, 60 black-and-white line drawings, and a detailed glossary. --George Cohen
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Palms are an important plant family. Ornamentally, they symbolize a tropical landscape to most of us; economically, they provide important products to millions of people in both subsistence and modern commercial economies. Although both of these books provide a wealth of information on palms, they differ in coverage. Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas takes a botanical approach to help readers identify palms naturally occurring in the Americas. A brief introduction and a key to the genera are followed by descriptions of 67 individual species, including identification, characteristics, habitat, and interesting notes. A separate section of 64 color plates, a distribution map for each species, checklists, and a detailed bibliography and index are also offered. Species descriptions are written by taxonomists but are reasonably comprehensible and interesting to the amateur; unfortunately, there is no glossary to explain technical terms. Palms Throughout the World, an expansion of Jones's popular Palms in Australia (1984), takes a horticultural approach. Its descriptions of 800 species in 123 genera include cultivation and propagation information as well as descriptions, and its 350 color photographs are conveniently located next to the species they illustrate. The long introductory section includes information on the structure, biology, and economic uses of palms as well as their disease and cultivation requirements. A glossary is provided. Both works would be useful in academic horticultural libraries. Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas is the only comprehensive field guide for its area, although Natalie Uhl and John Dransfield's definitive Genera Palmarum (Allen Pr., 1987) provides more detailed botanical information. Palms of the World is a more attractive book and would have greater appeal to general readers.Marit MacArthur, Auraria Lib., Denver, Col. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
