The Trees of Sonora, Mexico

Rating:
Summary: A Definitive Book on Sonoran Trees
Review: Sonoran tree communities range from coastal mangroves along the Gulf of California to pine forests atop the Sierra Madre on the continental divide, with thornscrub and tropical deciduous forest filling many of the gaps. While many genera familiar to gringo tree-watchers can be found in Sonora's 285 species-dendroflora -- such as pines, oaks, junipers, alders, ashes,cottonwoods and willows -- most are tropical Americans pressing on their northern boundaries. This new sylva, the first of the state of Sonora, documents the tree species of this enormous oft-overlooked region.And it does so with extraordinary grace and style, blending careful plant science with elegant botanical illustrations and photographs, and clear, accessible writing. For example, "The acorns are eaten fresh and are often consumed in local cantinas - the floors becoming littered with the empty shells" (Emory oak) and "No other Sonoran oak has leaves so densely velvety and fuzzy on both surfaces" (Chihuahua oak).
Among the ecological,historical, and descriptive information in the species narratives are the English, Spanish, and local Indian names of the taxa, as well as shrewd evaluations of the numerous nomenclatural and taxonomic issues that surround many of the species. As a writer of tree books who values reliable, original, and clear information on the dendroflora of botanical regions, I consider this book a rare find. Its authors have spent many years in fruitful field study of a rugged and undervalued region and have produced a volume of the highest quality. Their publisher has done a fine job of designing and manufacturing this attractive contribution to the Mexican flora.