| Wildflowers of the Coastal Plain provides detailed
information on 535 species of herbaceous plants, vines, and
shrubs inhabiting one of the great floristic provinces of the
United States. The coastal plain extends from southeast Texas
eastward to Florida and includes the Mississippi River flood
plain, which stretches from southern Illinois to the Gulf of
Mexico. It embraces all but the southern tip of the Florida
peninsula and proceeds up the eastern seaboard into southern
New Jersey and includes parts of Long Island and Cape Cod. In
this indispensable guide, botanist Ray Neyland catalogs the
native flora, as well as the naturalized species found throughout
the far-flung but unified coastal plain.
Each illuminating entry includes a vivid color photograph
of the wildflower in its natural setting, the plant’s
scientific and common names, and a precise description of
the species, including its range and blooming time. Some entries
describe modern and historical applications for the plants—such
as use by Native Americans for food or medicine—and
mention closely related species to prevent confusion in identification.
The volume’s simplified glossary and a series of line
drawings explain essential botanical terms. Dichotomous keys
facilitate a helpful step-by-step identification method, allowing
readers to begin with what they know—a flower’s
color—and then follow a process of elimination (Is the
plant aquatic or not? Are the leaves fan shaped or linear?).
A sturdy, flexible cover makes this guide the perfect companion
on outdoor excursions. With its beautiful color photographs,
instructive descriptions, and wide-ranging geographic scope,
Wildflowers of the Coastal Plain is an integral reference
for every nature lover.
Ray Neyland is a professor of biological
science at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. |
