The Biology Of Trees Native To Tropical Florida

This reference identifies more than 90 species of tropical trees found in south Florida and the Virgin Islands in a full-color text.

Wayside Trees of Tropical Florida is an illustrated guide to 501 native and exotic tree species growing in Florida south of Lake Okeechobee. It covers an area comprising the metropolitan areas of Miami to Palm Beach on the east coast and Naples to Fort Meyers on the west. This area is the southern end of the Florida Peninsula and bounded on the north by the northern-most extent of the tropical native species in the flora. The book covers species growing in cemeteries and parks, along streets and highways, as well as in home landscapes. It describes all of the 125 native species and most of the exotic species, an estimated 99.9 % of trees encountered in this region, including palms. It also serves as a useful guide to urban tropical trees growing outside of this region. The book contains three sections. An introduction describes the cultural, economic and environmental importance of trees. A key provides a non-technical means (using simple, easy to understand characters) to identify the 167 most common species. The species descriptions are organized by plant family, contain numerous illustrations, and include ecological and cultural information. Lavishly illustrated with over 1200 color photographs and diagrams, the book is designed to serve homeowners, gardeners, teachers and students, as well as environmental professionals. The authors, a botanist and a graphic artist, have a collective 70 years of experience living and working in south Florida.

This book is the first comprehensive guide to Florida's amazing variety of tree species: from scrub oak on the high central ridges to mangroves stretching along the southern coasts, from mighty live oaks to the delicate and diminutive hawthornes, from bald cypress with their knees poking up from the swamps to the coppery-colored gumbo limbo found in tropical hammocks of the Everglades and Keys, from the sabal palm found all over the state to the rare and endangered yew found only along the banks of the Apalachicola River in northern Florida. Florida, unique among the states, has both tropical and temperate forests. The early Florida visitor was awed by miles of unending pine flatwoods. Most modern Florida visitors are amazed by the lush tropical trees planted in cities, suburbs, and public gardens. This book covers both natives and exotics and includes suggested field sites for observing the species described. Divided into two sections, this book serves as both a reference and a field guide. Both sections help the reader answer the question “What tree is that?" by focusing on the families of Florida's trees. The line drawings show a combination of typical leaves, fruits, and flowers, and while accurate in detail, capture an overall impression, so helpful when trying to identify a species in the field. The color photos, all taken in Florida, are useful where color is important in identification. The first edition was very popular with both professionals and laypeople alike—it was heralded as accurate, comprehensive, and organized and written in an easy-to-understand way. This edition will be even more useful, as it adds about 140 more tree accounts for a total of more than 480 species. There are almost 600 color photos and many drawings and range maps. And now included is a key to tree families that will help with field identification.

This book has been designed to meet the needs of an interested general public as well as those of students and scientists. Anyone interested in knowing how to identify the native trees will find this manual understandable and easily used.