 |
 |
 |
|
Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica is a concise, illustrated guide to all of the species of native, naturalized, and commercially cultivated vascular plants of this Central American country, which lies between Nicaragua and Panama and is thus centered in isthmian Central America—a biogeographical funnel between South and North America, densely rich in species and geological history. The Manual is the first comprehensive Spanish-language account of the Costa Rican flora.
Piperaceae, with 465 species, has emerged as the largest family
in this volume. But despite its species richness, Piperaceae comprises notably low macromorphological diversity, with only three genera currently recognized in Costa Rica. Most species are herbs (many of them epiphytic) or shrubs. Just one species considered here, Piper nigrum—though only ephemerally cultivated in Costa Rica—is of considerable economic importance on a world scale. Rubiaceae takes a very close second place (458 species), and with 89 genera is marvelously diverse at all levels. It also includes the historically single most important economic species in Costa Rica, Coffea arabica. These two families alone account for 80% of the species in this volume. Rosaceae (42 species), Rutaceae (41 species), and Polygonaceae (39 species), together accounting for a total of only 11%, are essentially tied for a very weak third place in number of species. This identification manual includes brief formal descriptions and informal notes about each of a total of 18 families, 171 genera, and 1,155 species. Keys to all the genera and species are also included. The treatments are illustrated with 205 line drawings.
- Authors: B. E. Hammel; M. H. Grayum; C. Herrera; N. Zamora
Illustrator(s): Silvia Troyo
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Publication Information
- Publisher: MBGPress
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 9781930723566
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 840
Illustrated: Yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|