Research Institute of Texas Journal of the Botanical 7|1) BOOK REVIEW A Complete PennsyKania: Reference Ann Aquatic Plants of Block and Fowler Rhoads. 2011. Timothy A. Hopkins Fulfillment 978-0-8122-4306-2, University of Pennsylvania Press, Ser- Guide. (ISBN; cloth). www.upenn.edu/ Box Hampden Baltimore, Maryland 21211, U.S.A. (Orders: 50370, Station, vices, P.O. 93 508 b/w 7" x 10'. 1-800-537-5487, 1-410-516-6998 fax). $59.95, 320 color illus., illus., pennpress, pp., Most flower enthusiasts love the plants they know and spend hours tending to their personal gardens and we and more Many herbarium and surroundings. a Labor of Love, are spend time helping their local It’s yards. Book than willing to help in any ways we can. The authors of this volume carefully explain the “Purpose of the Ecology— we and and In very short time, are in Chapter Evolution opening paragraph of the Preface. 1. in the — — The more and we are totally “hooked.” {Fascination is probably a accurate scholarly! designation.) resultis when We intrigued by this book. Your hubby or wife calls to you, asking dinner will be same. are definitely the put The engrossed reader responds with “Uh, Honey, there’s a big frozen pizza in the ‘fridge’— it in the ready. wonder how many of our readers will immediately identify with that oven and we’ll have that for supper!” (I While many of us have probably seen a few water lilies and bulrushes and perhaps curly pondweed, most how of us are not at all familiar with the plants, their habits, and they actually grow. In addition to the usual and drawing descriptions of the various plants, the authors utilize line drawings, color photographs, a of the Pennsylvania, with a red line indicating the route being examined and a “fill in” of dark blue dots to of state Such maps are also used to show the routes and places in Pennsylvania where the presence of lakes. indicate were plants located. specific management They explain the types of ecosystems, the of aquatic ecosystems (endangered, threat- also watch by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program undetermined candidate), or list (at that ened, rare, and Rare Aquatic Endangered, Threatened, Plants of Pennsylvania. In addition, the the time). Table 1.2 lists Non-native, Invasive Aquatic Plants in Pennsylvania as well as a proliferation of “over- authors created a table of abundant native species.” Keys Chapter the authors have created Identification for the Aquatic Plants of Pennsylvania. They In 2, how system they have devised and to use the keys they have developed. In addition, they include explain the The more keys drawings in areas that might be difficult to visualize. are designed to be as helpful as pos- line may The authors really did a great job. These keys not appear to be the keys you’ve been accustomed to sible. approach which probably works a using, but they do a terrific “either/or” lot better for this type of identifica- The balance of the volume describes the various types of plants, their family, the species, accompanying map Pennsylvania showing drawings of the plant described, and the of the route, the locations, and some- line comment. an accompanying times This volume is fun to peruse, beautiful to see the color photos, easy to use the keys, easy to understand the drawings, and also creates an urgent desire in the reader to go immediately to Pennsylvania and travel line & Botanical Research those map routes!—Helen Jeude, Volunteer Associate Editor, Institute of Texas, Fort Worth, USA. Texas,