Frank J Smith

Plants of the Virgin Mountains Frank J Smith

Plants of the Virgin Mountains is a compact field guide to the common plants found in Arizona's northwest corner (and adjoining Nevada and southern Utah). The rugged Virgin Mountain range encompasses plants of the Mohave desert like Joshua tree, creosote bush, and various cacti, to high mountain forest with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. This elevational gradient adds to the diversity of habitats and their associated plants, making the range of interest to botanists, naturalists, and explorers. Covered in the book are 28 trees and shrubs, 12 types of cactus and cactus-like plants, and 26 species of herbaceous plants ("wildflowers"). Each plant is illustrated with a line drawing and described in non-technical terms, with information added on any human or wildlife use of the plant. An illustrated glossary and a section describing the range's various ecosystems is included. Although not a complete flora of the Virgin Mountains, this book serves as a handy introduction to many of the common (and colorful) plants a visitor to the area is likely to see.