Mosses, Lichens and Ferns of Northwest North America

A little troubled by the age of this guidebook; still, I cannot disagree with the other 4 & 5-star reviews. I purchased this book solely on the recommendation of a naturalist friend; unfortunately, without realizing it does not REALLY cover my area (San Jose, CA). So, I have little/no opportunity to use/evaluate it. I should have been more careful.

- As a graduate student I read many books focused on mosses and lichens. This guide is quite a refreshing addition to my library. It is easy to read and in English - not scientific jargon! I find it to be a good collection of information about the 'Mosses, Lichens & Ferns in NW North America'. I purchased it as a regional reference of moss and lichen data. I was not disappointed. The inclusion of ferns and liverworts is very appropriate for this region of the continent! (Some of the pictures aren't as great as those in Lichens of North America - but still good.) It is just the right size for a day pack complete with good quality paper. Another quality Lone Pine Product.

The beautiful photos of lichens and mosses are the best feature of this book. Even many of the harder to identify crustose lichens are included and equally well photographed in this handsome guide. It is difficult to get a handle on lichen identification without some formal training, but this book will enable you to at least make identifications for some of the easier foliose and fruticose ones, such as parmelia or usnea, for example, and perhaps the more difficult ones too as you become more knowlegeable and experienced. The crustose lichen, rhizocarpon geographicum, for example, isn't that hard to identify from the tile-like pattern it makes on rocks and the lime-green color and black apothecia on the plant thallus.Along with the photos, there are good descriptions and range maps showing plant distributions.I had the opportunity to take supposedly the only full-semester lichenology class being taught that year in the entire U.S. by the late, great Harry Thiers, back in the mid-80's at San Francisco State University, a graduate botany course in which I'm proud to say I got an A. So I have some formal training in the area, and feel I can judge a good book on the subject when I see it, and this beautifully illustrated field guide is definitely worth the relatively modest price.

Focused on the moist parts of western North America, this guide uses photos, range maps, and keys to identify and describe the primitive plants that are everywhere around us, but poorly understood. Great for plant exploration in the cool parts of the year. If you've ever wondered about those beautiful green carpeted forest floors, the delicate life growing on trees and rocks, or the lacey ferns in the fields and woods, this book is for you.