Pines : drawings and descriptions of the genus Pinus /

An update of the first edition (1984), this book provides a wonderful overview of the genus Pinus, which contains over 100 species from around the world. Rather than an exhaustive monograph, Farjon offers a concise one-page summary of each species, including botanical and ecological characteristics and distribution. The highlight is Farjon's detailed line drawings of cones, needles, and tree forms. Some taxonomists may quibble over classification and nomenclature of certain species, and, with the advent of molecular genetic analyses, some descriptions will eventually require revision. Another minor criticism is that the range maps are small, particularly given the space available on most pages. Overall, the book is outstanding; it provides an excellent "one-stop shop" for detailed information on this important and fascinating group of trees, and an excellent reference for libraries dealing with basic and applied plant sciences and resource conservation. The 12-by-9-by-3/4-inch book, with an attractive green cover, contains sections on the phylogeny and classification of Pinus, a glossary, a list of references, and an index of botanical names. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All levels. B. Cregg Michigan State University