1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910786699403321

Autore

Smith James P (James Payne), <1941->

Titolo

Field guide to grasses of California / / James P. Smith, Jr. ; illustrated by Kathy Simpson

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Oakland, California : , : University of California Press, , 2014

©2014

ISBN

0-520-95843-8

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (449 p.)

Collana

California Natural History Guides ; ; Number 110

Disciplina

584/.74

Soggetti

Grasses - California

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- CONTENTS -- Preface -- INTRODUCTION -- THE STRUCTURE OF GRASSES -- GRASSES IN CALIFORNIA -- COLLECTING AND IDENTIFYING GRASSES -- ACCOUNTS AND DESCRIPTIONS -- APPENDIX A: CHECKLIST OF CALIFORNIA GRASSES -- GLOSSARY, ABBREVIAT IONS, AND SYMBOLS -- INDEX -- ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sommario/riassunto

Grasses and grasslands are of increasing interest to conservationists, biologists, and gardeners. There are more than 300 species of native California grasses and they are found in almost every climate-from cool, wet forests to hot, dry deserts. Native grasses are also important to land restoration as they improve soil quality, increase water infiltration, and recycle nutrients. Their deep roots can tap soil water, which allows them to stay green year-round and to act as fire buffers around residences. Native grasses also provide vital habitat for many species of insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Despite their importance, grasslands remain one of the most under protected of California's vegetation types, and native grasslands have undergone the greatest percentage loss of any habitat type in the state. Grasses are also among the most difficult plants to identify. Organized alphabetically, Field Guide to Grasses of California covers common native and naturalized grasses and, to help identify them, also features over 180 color illustrations.