Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky - Hardcover

Barnes, Thomas G.; White, Deborah; Evans, Marc

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813124964 ISBN 13: 9780813124964

Publisher: University Press of Kentucky, 2008

Synopsis

Kentucky's rich soil and wonderfully diverse landscapes have for centuries made the state a welcoming habitat for a dazzling variety of wildflowers. From the delicate Kentucky glade cress to the fiery royal catchfly, flowers, grasses, and sedges nestle on rocky hillsides, bask in open woodlands and prairies, and even manage to thrive in busy rights of way and roadsides. As demand for natural resources and land for development and housing in the Commonwealth grows, land use and habitats are quickly changing. Unfortunately, this translates into disappearing or degraded habitats for a host of remarkable wildflowers. Currently 255 plant species in Kentucky are considered endangered or threatened, and there are more than 50 potential additions to the list. Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky provides an introduction to Kentucky's signature rare plants with 220 gorgeous full-color photographs by Thomas G. Barnes, a naturalist and award-winning photographer. These rare wildflowers and their descriptions are organized by habitat, and the book draws attention to the enduring beauty of Kentucky's old-growth forests, prairies, wetlands, and other habitats. In addition to serving as a stunning photographic record of Kentucky's rare plants, the book examines ecological communities and the ways in which they are threatened. The authors also explain how various plants have become endangered over the decades and suggest concrete steps for conservation and preservation at both the government and private level. The book also includes references, a list of scientific and common species names, and a list of each plant's endangered status that is especially useful to gardeners, botanists, and horticultural professionals. Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky is both a celebration and a call to action to save the plants that are a vital part of Kentucky's natural heritage.

About this title

About the Author:

Thomas G. Barnes is extension professor of forestry and wildlife specialist at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of Gardening for the Birds, Kentucky's Last Great Places, and Wildflowers and Ferns of Kentucky.

Deborah White is branch manager and senior botanist at the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Marc Evans is senior ecologist at the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Review:

""Beyond reading about the state's flora, Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky offers its reader a unique opportunity to view many of these disappearing wildflowers seen infrequently by the average person." ―UK News"

""Enlightened." "Two exquisite titles that reflect the unique native treasures found in the commonwealth." referring to both Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky and Early Stone Houses of Kentucky ―Lexington Herald-Leader"

"The book is both a beautiful photographic record of Kentucky's rare plants and a valuable resource for gardeners, botanists and horticultural professionals." ―UK News, Newswise, Science Centric"

"A beautiful book that will find a home in Kentucky and its neighboring states, especially since the loss of wild plants is increasing as development expands." ―Cy Bent, Booklist Online"

"The photographs in this volume are of such beauty that if Barnes ever decides to give up his job in academia, he should seriously consider becoming a professional wildlife photographer. More importantly, he combines that talent with a desire not just to inform but to educate. More than just a collection of pictures, however, "Rare Wildflowers" is educational." ―Andrew McMichael, Bowling Green Daily News"

"The three authors have put together a beautiful, easy to read, inspiring collection of useful information and beautiful photos for everyone who is interested in conservation in Kentucky." ―Mary Carol Cooper, The Cumberland"

"Wildflowers and Ferns of Kentucky, which Thomas Barnes co-wrote, has been the go-to resource for gardeners and others with an interest in these oft-neglected plants. Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky goes a step further, combining a well-researched plant guide with beautiful, coffee-table quality representations of the plant life. It's part reference, part art, and all entertaining." ―Scott Coffman, courier-journal.com"

"If gazing at the wildflower photographs Barnes hiked through miles of wilderness to capture doesn't turn you into a conservationist, probably nothing will." ―Susan Smith-Durisek,The Lexington Herald-Leader"

""Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky can be appreciated for both its beauty and the importance and relevance of the message it sends. From coffee table to reference library, it is a treasure that hones in on Kentucky's uniqueness." ―Chevy Chaser, Southsider, Hamburg Journal"

""This impressive and informative book will be valued not only by conservationists, but by gardeners and naturalists as well." ―Northeastern Naturalist Review"

"The large format does justice to the 220 lush color photos by Barnes, an award-winning photographer and naturalist." ―Connie Krochmal, BellaOnline"

"This book is well written and is recommended for general naturalists, gardeners, horticulturists, lower-level biology undergraduate students, and concerned citizens interested in protecting rare plants."―Dr. Nina L. Baghai-Riding, Plant Science Bulletin"

"With outstanding photographs...[Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky] should serve as a stimulus for additional study by both amateur and professional botanists." ―The Tennessee Academy of Science Journal"

"Beautiful color photographs illustrate 220 of the rare plants described. This impressive and informative book will be valued not only by conservationists, but by gardeners and naturalists as well." ―Northeastern Naturalist"

"With photographs, the authors bring Kentucky's rare plants to life, and the reader appreciates the stakes if action is not taken to preserve them." ―Native Plants Journal"

"Most people will find the photography stunning." ―Natural Areas Journal"―

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0813124964
• ISBN 13: 9780813124964
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 204