Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States

A common group of plants in the Midwest's natural areas, the oval sedges supply food for wildlife while their roots bind the soil and their vegetation creates habitat. <i>Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges</i> offers a guide to the identification, distribution, and natural history of this diverse group of plants. Focused on the Carex section <i>Cyperoideae</i>, the editors cover Illinois' twenty-five species, every oval sedge in Indiana and Kentucky, and nearly every species in Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. A two-step process helps users recognize the notoriously difficult-to-identify plants while illustrations and labeled photographs aid users in evaluating morphological characteristics. The editors also furnish first-ever distribution maps for Illinois' recently described species and varieties plus up-to-date maps for nearly every other species. <p> Drawing on the study of thousands of specimens, <i>Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges</i> is an invaluable resource for botanists, ecologists, environmental engineers, and professional and amateur environmentalists interested in a deeper understanding of these essential plants. </p>