Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Botanical Garden1999, Hardback. $38.00
Volume I contains an introduction and history of botanical exploration and research in Missouri, plus keys, drawings, distribution maps and descriptions of the ferns, conifers and monocots fouio in Missouri. Available from Missouri Department of Conservation, local bookstores, and local chapters of Missouri Native Plant Society.
Steyermark'sFlora of Missouri, Volume II
by George Yatskievych Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Botanical Garden 2006, Hardback. $48.00 Volume II contains keys, drawings, distribution maps and descriptions of dicot plant families found in Missouri, in alphabetical order from A (Acanthaceae) through F (Fabaceae, Subfamilies Caesalpiniodeae & Mimosoideae). Available from Missouri Botanical Garden, local bookstores, and local chapters of Missouri Native Plant Society.
Missouri Orchids, by Bill Summers
Missouri Department of Conservation, Natural History Series No. 1. 3rd Edition, 1996. paperback. $ 5.00. This compact (112 pages ) volume is packed with just what Missouri Orchid aficionados were waiting for. Current taxonomic nomenclature, distribution maps, and text. And greatly improved quality of photo (38) reproduction. An update on the status of our knowledge about Missouri Orchids around the state.
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Missouri, by Don Kurz
Missouri Department of Conservation, 1997. Illustrations by Paul Nelson. Paperback. 387 pages, including Introduction, Keys to the shrubs, Keys to the woody vines, Shrub descriptions, woody vine descriptions, Appensixes (List of families and species; Regional sources for native shrubs and woody vines), Selected references, Index.
Trees of Missouri, by Don Kurz
Missouri Department of Conservation, 2003. Illustrations by Paul Nelson. Paperback. 399 pages, including Introduction, Keys to the trees; Tree descriptions; Oak leaves; Oak acorns; Oak reproductive cycle; Hickory reproductive cycle; List of Families, Genera, and Species; Other tree species; Nursery sources for native trees; Selected References; Index to scientific and common names.
PUBLIC PRAIRIES OF MISSOURI. New Edition
Published by the Missouri Department of Conservation; Carol Davit : Editor ; Prairie maps : Michael Klein; Designer : Tracy Ritter. 1999. 48 pages; size 8.5 x 11 inches; paper. This is a completely renovated and upgraded edition of the previous issue of this very useful pamphlet. 4000 acres of prairie have been added since the last edition in 1994. The maps and illustrations are visually appealing and informative. In addition to a new individual locator map and descriptive narrative for each prairie, a brief prairie primer has been added. This will help the public to understand and appreciate the value of one of our most severely threatened natural resources.
Published by the Missouri Department of Conservation; 97 pages. Compiled by Teresa Knight; Bernadette Dryden : Editor; Russ Miller & Debbie Briedwell: Maps; Tracy Ritter : designer. 1999. Size 6.5 x 9.75 inches; spiral binding /paper. $5.00 A new document that hikers, birders, botanizers, and nature study enthusiasts will want add to their map/reference stash for outdoor foray planning when visiting MDC lands. Describes 86 trails on 40 Conservation Areas. Lays flat(hooray!) and each map has its associated narrative on the facing page(hooray again!). Maps are neat, two colored, uncluttered, and planimetric (What ? - No contours???). Each map has its own scale. Thus it's easy to read and use. The Key to Trails is nicely laid out(for a statewide trail location snapshot) but there is no organized link to the detailed map pages in the book. One has to use the old hunt and search by name method. Still, this guide is a practical companion/supplement to the MDC ATLAS.
Missouri Natural Areas Committee: Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service 1996. 155 pages. Paperback. NEW! An update on the status, location, and synopsis of what is to be found/seen at each of Missouri's unique natural areas around the state. Available free by writing to Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO, 65102-0180.
Missouri Plants of Conservation Concern, by Tim Smith, 47 pp; size 9 x 7 inches.
Missouri Department of Conservation, 2000.
PUT A FACE ON THAT NAME!
The Petal Pusher has in the past published a quantitative summary of the number of species of plants whose continued survival have been determined to be at some degree of risk or believed to be extirpated. This presentation has been in the form of a "text-book" style table.
And under "Publications of Interest," we have tried to bring to the attention of our readers the title, date and information needed for interested parties to acquire a copy of the specific publication that lists each and every name of all the plant species that collectively are the source for the data in the table. This form of rather sterile, arcane presentation no doubt leaves something to be desired as far as provoking any latent tendencies towards species conservation. The lingering problem is still "How to know one when you see one?" Now the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has distributed a new booklet that takes the lead toward providing an introductory style remedy for this condition.
This attractive and informative booklet contains descriptions and illustrations of 37 of the plants at greatest risk out of the total of 553 species that are considered to be at some degree of risk or believed to be extirpated. Each selected plant has one page devoted to it with most, if not all, of the following: a concise descriptive text, color photo, black & white illustration, a state range map, and a US range map.
While a few of the species displayed may have a face only a botanist could love, several are quite colorful and most attractive in the more conventional sense. It's a nice introduction to the process of "putting a face on that name!"
