Flora of Steens Mountain

 

Product Description

This flora covers the vegetation for the little known, but highly significant Steens Mountain in a remote section of Oregon that is sometimes referred to as “America’s Outback”. The area possesses a strange floral variety of desert, montane and alpine habitats in close proximity and about 5% of the species included are considered rare. The author attempts to provide an inclusive book that is near complete, yet not too technical that will be of interest to casual botanist as well as serious hobbyist of professionals. In this aim he is quite successful and this book is a valuable addition to the written botanical resources of the northwest U.S.

The book offers a brief, but useful explanation to the taxonomy of plants and an overview of the geography, history, floristics and vegetation of Steens Mountain. This is followed by floral keys to families, then genera within the families and to species within each genus. Only about 25% of the species are illustrated in another section of the book and a few dozen have color photos. In the key a short description is included with each species to provide a mental image against which to evaluate the specimen in hand. This feature makes the key more accurate and saves significant space. Local and range wide distributions are also provided for each species as are some general ethnobotanical or cultural uses. A glossary of terms and illustration of some botanical features are also provided.

From the Back Cover
A major contribution to Oregon and Great Basin flora, this comprehensive field guide identifies plants of Steens Mountain and surrounding areas in southeastern Oregon, including Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Diamond Craters, and the Alvord Desert. It also provides reasonable coverage for plants in southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada.

Steens Mountain, the northern most fault-block mountain range in the Great Basin, is a botanically rich region that in recent years has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and naturalists. This concise guide is designed to be carried into the field and used to identify vascular plants in their natural habitats. The book includes simple yet accurate keys for identification. In addition to line drawings of more than 250 species, the book features a section of color photographs.

Introductory chapters include general information on the area's geology, vegetation, and natural history, as well as Native American use of plants, early botanical exploration, rare plants, and guidelines for collecting.

Flora of Steens Mountain offers an invaluable resource for amateur and professional botanists, as well as anyone seeking to better understand plant life in this spectacular region.

Product Details

Paperback: 424 pages
Publisher: Oregon State University Press (April 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0870714716
ISBN-13: 978-0870714719
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds

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