Subject: Help with keys

From: [email-masked] (Mike S. Medintz)
Date: 21 Apr 96 13:57:18 CDT

Hi.
I'm looking for a book of dichotomous keys to plants around the Great
Lakes, specifically SW Michigan. I asked in my school bookstoren and
nobody seemed to know what I was talking about. Does anybody here
have any recommendations? Is there such a thing? 

Thanks much in advance

--
Mike S. Medintz   | Another redneck for Wilderness
"Wise Use" isn't. |"If you don't vote, don't bitch."
http://falcon.cc.ukans.edu/~medintz

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From: [email-masked] (Monique Reed)
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 09:33:27 UNDEFINED

>Lakes, specifically SW Michigan.

Look for the two-volume set  "Michigan Flora" copyright 1972 by Cranbrook 
Institute of Science and the U. of Michigan Herbarium.  (There was a second 
printing in 1980).  If it's not still in print, it ought to be available 
second hand and in libraries.  Volume one deals with gymnosperms and monocots; 
volume two with dicots.

These books have keys, short descriptions, county dot distribution maps and 
some nice line drawings.  The nomenclature may now be a bit out of date, but 
these books will be a good starting point for you.

Hope this helps,
Monique Reed
Herbarium Botanist
Biology Department
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX  77843

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From: [email-masked] (Judith Kelly)
Date: 23 Apr 1996 22:51:36 -0400

I will recommend 4 books, going from the most specific to the most general.
One is Plants of the Chicago Region by Floyd Swink and Gerould Wilhelm.  
Despite the title, it covers Berrien county MI, and should work well in 
SW Michigan.  Cost is 39.50.

Michigan Flora Volume 1 and 2  by Ed Voss.  The third and final volume should
 be out within a year.  Has dot maps for all Michigan Counties.  It is 
very complete and accurate and is a real bargin at $12.00 for Volume 1 
and $13.00 for Volume 2.

Manual of Vascular Plants of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent 
Canada.  2nd Edition.  By Henry Gleason and Arthur Cronquist.  I think I 
paid about $50.00 for it.  Also complete and accurate, but no dot maps.  
Michigan material keys out well as Gleason was botany professor at U of M 
for a number of years.  

One last thought is that you might try to find a copy of A Flora of 
Kalamazoo County by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hanes.  It is reputed to be an 
excellent flora, although it may not be in print.  Your local library may 
have a copy.  University Libraries will definitely have a copy.

Have the bookstore look in Books in Print for the ISBN numbers.  
Judy Kelly
<[email-masked]>

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From: [email-masked](Western PA Conservancy )
Date: 23 Apr 1996 12:50:08 GMT

>have any recommendations? Is there such a thing? 
"Michigan Flora" by E.G.Voss contains keys of unsurpassed quality to
the angiosperms of Michigan.  The books contain distribution maps,
illustrations of selected species, and other valuable information about
Michigan's plants.  The first two of three volumes are currently
available (priced very reasonably), and volume three is due to be on
the shelves soon (someone please let me know if it is already
available). They are published by Cranbrook Institute of Science.  If
you want a more compact work, try the used book stores for a copy of
Norman Fassett's classic "Spring Flora of Wisconsin".  Despite the fact
that the nomenclature is a little outdated, this is an excellent choice
for someone who is learning to use keys, and it covers most of the
spring-blooming plants you are likely to find in southwestern Michigan.
 The original edition largely skipped the grasses and sedges, but these
were added in later editions (unfortunately I don't remember who wrote
the addition, maybe Zimmerman).

Steve Grund
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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From: [email-masked] (Judith Kelly)
Date: 24 Apr 1996 21:13:30 -0400

I talked to Ed Voss on April 15th and he says that he has taken the 
manuscript for the third volume to Cranbrook.  Now it has to go out on 
bid to various printers.  I would imagine it would be available within the 
year.  If the group is interested I can post a message when it becomes 
available.  
Judy Kelly <[email-masked]>

>available). They are published by Cranbrook Institute of Science.  If
    <snipped>

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From: [email-masked] (Rglabra)
Date: 25 Apr 1996 18:42:59 -0400

Try Peterson's Field Guides, they are sold just about everywhere.  If your
local bookstore does not carry them, they should surely be able to order
them.  They are fantastic guides, especailly #11A,  "Trees and Shrubs."