Lichens are a unique form of plant life, the product of a symbiotic association between an alga and a fungus. The beauty and importance of lichens have long been overlooked, despite their abundance and diversity in most parts of North America and elsewhere in the world. This stunning book--the first accessible and authoritative guidebook to lichens of the North American continent--fills the gap, presenting superb color photographs, descriptions, distribution maps, and keys for identifying the most common, conspicuous, or ecologically significant species. The book focuses on 805 foliose, fruticose, and crustose lichens (the latter rarely included in popular guidebooks) and presents information on another 700 species in the keys or notes; special attention is given to species endemic to North America. A comprehensive introduction discusses the biology, structure, uses, and ecological significance of lichens and is illustrated with 90 additional color photos and many line drawings. English names are provided for most species, and the book also includes a glossary that explains technical terms. This visually rich and informative book will open the eyes of nature lovers everywhere to the fascinating world of lichens.

With well over 2000 species the Parmeliaceae is the largest family of lichenized fungi. Mexico with its huge topographic relief and wide range of habitats is one of the major biodiversity hot spots in the world. Accordingly, it is not surprising that this volume documents over 20% of the world's Parmeliaceae from this country. In fact a vast majority of the Parmeliaceae known from North America are covered in this volume. Descriptions (morphological and chemical), keys, distribution information and extensive specimen citations covering all states in Mexico are provided in the systematic treatments covering 450 species from Alectoria, Anzia, Bryoria, Bulbothrix, Canoparmelia, Cetraria, Cetrelia, Hypotrachyna, Flavoparmelia, Hypogymnia, Imshaugia, Kaernefelita, Letharia, Melanelixia, Melanohalea, Menegazzia, Montanelia, Myelochroa, Nodobryoria, Oropogon, Parmelia, Parmelina, Parmelinella, Parmeliopsis, Parmotrema, Parmotremopsis, Phacopsis, Protoparmelia, Pseudephebe, Pseudevernia, Pseudoparmelia, Punctelia, Relicina, Remototrachyna, Tuckermanella, Tuckermannopsis, Usnea, and Xanthoparmelia. Keys to genera are based on the most recent molecular data. All the species of Parmotrema known for North America are covered in the keys. The book begins with a review of the physiographic aspects and biodiversity of Mexico and proceeds to the first lichen community phylogenetic analysis for the major ecological communities in Mexico based on the Parmeliaceae. The book will be useful to anyone studying the lichens of Mexico as well as adjacent regions in Central America, the Caribbean, and the United States.

Based on the acclaimed reference Lichens of North America, this resource for the classroom, field, and laboratory presents updated and expanded keys for the identification of over 2,000 species of lichens indigenous to the continent, twice the number covered by previous keys. The book includes a glossary illustrated with photographs by Sylvia Duran Sharnoff and Stephen Sharnoff and drawings by Susan Laurie-Bourque, all from the original book. The revised keys are an indispensable identification tool for botanists, students, scientists, and enthusiasts alike.--COVER.

A broad-ranging review of organisms which have long-fascinated biologists, ecologists and chemists.