Description
Manzanita’s center of biodiversity is in the California Floristic Province, where they are the “rock stars” of woody shrub diversity. Ranging from the Sierra Nevada mountains to coastal bluffs along the Pacific, from temperate rainforests along the North Coast to arid mountain slopes in Southern California, a wealth of manzanita species and subspecies can be found in an astonishing array of environments.
Field Guide to Manzanitas presents an assimilation of images, descriptions, and range maps to better understand these plants through:
- Color plates for identifying the world’s manzanitas
- Accurate and updated range maps
- 28 manzanita hot-spots for finding them in the field
- Spectacular photos from across North America
- Simplified keys by region
- Discussion covering endemism, ecology, and evolution of the genus
Kurt Rademacher –
An amazing resource which fills a serious need for those of us exploring this fascinating genus. The well thought out keys, detailed maps, and generous number of photos really help to pin down features which can be highly variable even within the taxa. The section on “Manzanita Destinations” is another useful feature. It’s a welcome addition to my library, though it generally resides “at the ready” in my field pack. Congratulations and Thanks!
Kyle Keegan –
As expected, given the previous books I have purchased from Back Country Press, this field guide has exquisite photos, delicious writing and concise and well designed keys and range maps that are easily understood. I’m crossing my fingers that they will do a similar guide for Ceanothus.
Emma Shelton (verified owner) –
I LOVE the paper! You get a bookmark and a sticker too, very nice. From the Introduction to the glossary, it’s a wonderful book. It helps that I like Manzanitas. Detailed descriptions of each taxon are really helpful. I also like very much the maps where they are found, the key, the region and county lists and destinations. I also have “Conifers of the Pacific Slope”, which has the same useful arrangement. What’s great is that the book is not a heavy tome in any sense- easy to carry around, and did I mention I love the feel of the paper?
Kenneth Koll (verified owner) –
It is a good book. Probably the best I have found on the subject. It was recommended to me by a Manzanita expert.
I was disappointed by the Monterey Bay section (my local area). The first reference (Empire Grade/Bonny Doon) focuses on a location on secure/private business land. It cannot be accessed. There are other excellent accessible locations in Bonny Doon that are open to the public. Why feature a place that the readers cannot access? The second reference is to Manzanita Park. That Park currently requires visitors either to park outside or pay a $50 fee annual fee. Also, the map reference is incorrect. The area shown on the map is a State Park in Aptos, Forest of Nicene Marks.