Book

Agnes Chase's first book of grasses : the structure of grasses explained for beginners / Lynn G. Clark and Richard W. Pohl.

Clark, Lynn G. (Author). Pohl, Richard Walter, 1916- (Added Author). Chase, Agnes, 1869-1963 First book of grasses. (Added Author).

Summary:

For almost seventy five years, Agnes Chase's First Book of Grasses has been the classic guide to the structure of this complex group of plants. Clearly written and copiously illustrated with line drawings, the book is accessible to those with little or no botanical training, yet it also is respected by botanists as an authoritative introduction to agrostology. Last updated in 1959, the book now has been thoroughly revised to reflect current scientific knowledge,

nomenclature, and classification. Divided into twelve lessons, the guide first surveys the basic vegetative and reproductive parts of a grass plant, then in succeeding lessons takes up increasingly more complex modifications. Formally recognized groups of grasses are discussed in a taxonomic context, with the principal focus on grass structures, particularly those of inflorescences and spikelets. Virtually all of the species discussed are illustrated with detailed line.

drawings. With the addition in this edition of a lesson on bamboos, coverage now extends to tropical regions and encompasses all major groups of grasses. The book also includes a short biography of Agnes Chase in the foreword and, for the first time in this edition, a glossary accompanies the appendices on grass classification.

Record details

ISBN: 1560986565 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN: 9781560986560 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Physical Description: xxii, 127 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Edition: 4th ed.
Publisher: Washington : Smithsonian Institution Press, [1996]

Content descriptions

General Note:	Completely rev. ed. of: First book of grasses / Agnes Chase. 3rd ed. 1977.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (p. 115) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Foreword / Pamela M. Henson -- Lesson 1. The Basic Morphology of Grasses -- Lesson 2. Modifications of the Spikelet -- Lesson 3. Pedicellate Spikelets of Few to Many Florets -- Lesson 4. Sessile Spikelets in Two Sided Spikes -- Lesson 5. Pedicellate Spikelets with Large Glumes and Other Modifications -- Lesson 6. Pedicellate One-Flowered Spikelets -- Lesson 7. Sessile Spikelets in One-Sided Spikes -- Lesson 8. Spikelets of Florets Falling in Fascicles -- Lesson 9. Spikelets with Membranaceous Glumes and Hardened Fertile Florets -- Lesson 10. Paired Spikelets with Hardened Glumes and Membranaceous Lemmas -- Lesson 11. Highly Specialized Unisexual Spikelets -- Lesson 12. The Bamboos and the Rices -- How to Study Grasses -- Synopsis of Grass Classification -- Useful References for the Study of Grasses.