Sedges: Cyperus to Scleria

This second edition of Sedges: Cyperus to Scleria brings up to date the identification of species of sedges in Illinois (except Carex) since publication of the first edition in 1976.

During the intervening years, several additions to the sedge flora of Illinois have been made, and many new distributional records have been added. Also, a large number of nomenclatural changes have taken place, resulting in several alterations of scientific names. New illustrations have been provided for all of the additions. 

In his introductory material, Robert H. Mohlenbrock discusses the morphology of sedges and the habitats where they can be found. Although the semitechnical keys and descriptions are familiar to experienced botanists, he has simplified them as much as possible to accommodate the novice in sedge identification. He has also included a new key to the sedges and to each genus in which additional species have been added.

For each species, Mohlenbrock has provided a description, statement of habitat and range, Illinois distribution map, discussion, synonymy, and line illustrations showing its diagnostic features. Sedges: Cyperus to Scleria contains 128 illustrations.

This volume, the sixth to be published in this monumental series, describes all sedges (Family Cyperaceae) known to occur in Illinois except for Carex, which will be treated in a separate volume.

Genera covered in this volume are Cyperus, Dulichium, Eleocharis, Bulbo-stylis, Fimbristylis, Lipocarpha, Fuirena, Scirpus, Eriophorum, Rhynchospora, Cladium, and Scleria. A total of 2,699 spe­cies is included.

Each species is described and illus­trated. Discussions of habitat, variation, and range are included for each species. A dot map showing distribution in Illi­nois is included for each species. Keys are provided for easy identification of the sedges. An illustrated key to the genera is included also.

Booknews

One half of a two volume set that presents illustrations and descriptions of all of the known sedge plants located in Illinois. In addition to the descriptions, information is presented on habitat, range, and distribution of the plants. The black and white illustrations detail all parts of the plant from flowering parts to the root system. This new edition of the 1976 work adds six additional taxa of sedges and takes into account a number of nomenclatural changes and distributional records that have been added. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Robert H. Mohlenbrock taught botany at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for thirty-four years, earning the title of Distinguished Professor. After his retirement in 1990, he joined Biotic Consultants as a senior scientist, teaching wetland identification classes in twenty-nine states. He has been named SIU Outstanding Scholar and has received the SIU Alumnus Teacher of the Year Award, the AMOCO Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Meritorious Teacher of the Year Award from the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Since 1984, he has been a monthly columnist for Natural History magazine. Among his 51 books and more than 580 publications are Macmillan’s Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Field Guide to the U.S. National Forests, and Where Have All the Wildflowers Gone?