Prairie plants of the University of Wisconsin--Madison Arboretum /

The northern temperate grasslands once dominated the middle third of the northern US and parts of adjacent southern Canada, but they now barely persist, existing only as isolated remnant populations. The complexities and attractiveness of the original biota are consequently often both unrecognized and unappreciated. However, this attractive handbook, based on the native species found on six relic prairie sites maintained by the University of Wisconsin, is an excellent introduction to many of the common prairie plants. The authors (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison) use nomenclature that is accurate and up-to-date. The descriptions, illustrations, and the many photographs are excellent, showing both habitat and details useful in identification, along with other technical details and comments on ranges, growth habits, and habitats in the accompanying text. Included are a glossary of terms, a comprehensive index, and a short but quite adequate bibliography of ecological and taxonomic resources. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students, practitioners, and general readers. W. Loescher Michigan State University