Flowering Plants
Lilies to Orchids
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
cloth, 0-8093-0408-2, $47.00s
304 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, illus.
published April 1970
Botany
The second of two volumes now published dealing with the flowering plants of Illinois. A companion volume, Flowering Plants: Rush to Rushes was published at the same time. The Illustrated Flora of Illinois" series, edited by Robert H. Mohlenbrock, and designed to provide a working reference for the identification and classification of all the plant forms found in the state. This series is the first of its kind, as no other study of this sort has been undertaken in any other state, and as such, is an unparalleled contribution to its field.
These two volumes are the first of many which will deal with the flowering plants of Illinois. The first six of these will include the group of flowering plants referred to as monocotyledons. These are plants which produce upon germination a single cotyledon or seed-leaf, and which can often be identified by their tall, slender, grass-like leaves. Familiar members of this group are orchids, cat-tails, irises, and the grasses. The first volume includes the flowering rushes, arrowheads, pondweeds, duckweeds, cat-tails, and spiderworts.
In his Introduction to the present volume Mr. Mohlenbrock discusses some of the terms and procedures used in the identification and classification of the plants. He outlines the life histories and morphologies of some of the representative monocots, and also illustrates some of their habits and frequencies in Illinois. Since these volumes are meant to be used by the amateur as well as the professional botanist, the methods and terms used in the text are explained, and directions for the use of the various identification keys are given so that even the novice plant lover will be able to identify the species he encounters. For the unitiated, a glossary is provided which gives definitions for all terms which might be unfamiliar.
All necessary aids to identification are included in the text itself. The identification keys make it initially possible to classify the plants according to order, family, genus, and finally, species, and the identifying characteristics of each descending class are given in detail. The morphology of each species is outlined along with data on frequency of occurrence, related soil and climate conditions, and history of past collections. An illustration showing the more important features of the species in detail is included with the decription, as well as a map indicating its geographical location in Illinois.
This book will be invaluable to students, teachers, and professionals, particularly those who are interested in observing the plants in their natural habitat. Those who use it will find it possible to obtain a broad view of the changing plant forms as they relate to soil and climate variations throughout the state. And it will provide a delightful diversion for all who enjoy viewing beautiful forms in nature--a walk through the forest will become an opportunity for discovery and appreciation.
Robert H. Mohlenbrock taught botany at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for thirty-four years, earning the title of Distinguished Professor. After his retirement in 1990, he joined Biotic Consultants as a senior scientist teaching wetland identification classes in twenty-six states to date. Mohlenbrock has been named SIU Outstanding Scholar and has received the SIU Alumnus Teacher of the Year Award, the AMOCO Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Meritorious Teacher of the Year Award from the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Since 1984, he has been a monthly columnist for Natural History magazine. Among his fifty books and more than five hundred and sixty publications are Macmillan's Field Guide to the U.S. National Forests, and Where Have All the Wildflowers Gone?
