A Field Guide to the Ferns and Lycophytes of Louisiana

Book excerpt: Any appreciation of Louisiana's beautiful outdoors must include the lush variety of the state's ferns and lycophytes. Their striking diversity in form, color, and size makes identifying the array of species in the region enjoyable for hobbyists and professionals alike. With illustrations and full-color photographs accompanying a complete description of more than sixty varieties, Ray Neyland's A Field Guide to the Ferns and Lycophytes of Louisiana offers an engaging reference for all levels of interest and expertise. Detailed line drawings of plant structures, a glossary of terms, and dichotomous keys make discovering Louisiana's diverse fern family -- the second largest in the country -- both easy and enjoyable. In addition to providing the geographic range, similar species, and traditional and current uses, Neyland's guide follows the spread of ferns and lycophytes into areas of eastern Texas, southern Arkansas, and Mississippi.