Booklist |
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| Here is a list of books about ferns. The
list starts with books that are best for newcomers to fern
identification. Please note that most of these books will contain some
fern species not found in Ontario. |
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| The "must haves" |
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The Ferns of Grey & Bruce
Counties
Bruce-Grey Plant Committee (Owen Sound Field Naturalists)An
excellent book for identifying ferns of Ontario.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, EXCELLENT for newcomers. This is THE book
to have for identifying ferns in Ontario.
Even though this book focuses on the ferns of the
Grey-Bruce region, most (but not all) of the ferns of Ontario are included.
Features photographs, silhouettes, and descriptive text on each
fern species. 120 pages.
Info on how to obtain this book:
www.osfn.ca/pubs_osfn.html |
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Peterson Field Guide to Ferns,
Second edition:
Northeastern and Central North America (2nd edition)
Boughton Cobb, Cheryl Lowe, Elizabeth Farnsworth
published by Houghton MifflinThis is the second edition of
the definitive field guide to ferns, and an EXCELLENT job has
been done updating it! All the original drawings have been
preserved, lots of photographs have been added, and many species
have been added that were not included in the first edition. |
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| Other great resources |
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Ferns of the Northeastern
United States
Illustrations and Descriptions of all Known Species in the New
England and Middle Atlantic States
Farida Wiley
published by Dover Publications |
| An excellent book for
newcomers to fern identification, simple and easy to use. The subtitle says it all. It's a small pocket-sized
book, easy to take along in the field. Includes a range map for
each species. Originally published in
1936. 108 pages. |
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Fern Finder
Anne C. Hallowell & Barbara G. Hallowell
published by Nature Study GuildAnother good book for
newcomers. Many drawings highlight the pertinent features of the
various species. Small, easy to carry. 62 pages. |
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A Natural History of Ferns
Robbin C. Moran
published by Timber PressSuperb new book (2004) with detailed short
articles (chapters) about various aspects of ferns. It's
scientific but nevertheless very accessible and understandable
for the average intelligent reader. The author successfully
brings the science to the ordinary reader. If you like reading
intelligent natural history books, you will find this book
absolutely fascinating! 300 pages. |
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The Illustrated Flora of
Illinois: Ferns; 2nd edition
Robert H. Mohlenbrosk
published by Southern Illinois University PressAn excellent reference book, very
detailed and scientific. Even though it is about the ferns of
Illinois, it is still relevant for Ontario as Illinois
is not all that far away. Not for beginners. Somewhat pricey but
very good. Part of a detailed series on the Flora of Illinois. Illustrated with excellent detailed drawings. 240
pages. |
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How to Know the Ferns
Frances Theodora Parsons
published by Dover PublicationsThis book is out of print. If
you can find a reasonably priced used copy, grab it. Originally
published in 1899, this is a very detailed book, written in the
style of writers in 1899, when they included interesting stories
and information about each species. |
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Ferns and Fern Allies of Canada
William J. Cody & Donald M. Britton
published by Agriculture CanadaThe definitive reference book on ferns
of Canada. Scientifically oriented, it of course includes ferns
of areas outside of Ontario. Inclusion of western species may
cause confusion if you're trying to use this book for fern
identification. It may be out of print. 430 pages.
An excellent book, the definitive reference for Canada, but
not for beginners. |
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