Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons

Considered by many to be the ultimate references on the subject matter, the 6 volume set published under the series title "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants" is a real let down. The series attempts to capture comprehensive information relative to identification of species based upon the cut and dry taxonomic and morphologic features, typical of these types of guides. Where the books fail is in the lack of illustrations. The total species illustrated under each genus seems to be a random scattering of fair to outstanding photographs. The images are too small to be really useful for detailed examination. Although the book does illustrate some of the odd ball species, it fails miserably in providing enough images to make it worthy of the title "Illustrated". The cost of the series is quite high, but not unusual for a book with such high print and construction standards. The amount of money you save by not buying this volume is better spent picking up some of the older works on the subject matter that are truly illustrated. In closing, a lot of money for text that can be found online and with better pictures for free. Avoid unless you are an avid collector and need an identification key that was dated the day it was printed.

300 pages of densely written descriptions using so many $64 words that I was broke after a few pages. Although the title says “ILLUSTRATED”, that is perhaps generous, since there are only 32 pages of small, poor-quality photographs of succulents at the end of the book - after the Index. Only recommended for the most knowledgeable or masochistic of succulent afficianados.

Il libro è ben fatto (forse un po troppo stringato nelle descrizioni) e le foto a colori precise e di esemplari molto esplicativi. Forse l'aggiunta di chiavi per la determinazione delle specie sarebbe stata un aggiunta gradita da molti... e la maggior grandezza delle foto sarebbe stata un plus valore. Il libro comunque rimane un must !

単子葉植物(多肉植物)を掲載。内容はアガベ属とアロエ属、ガステリア属、ハオルチア属などがメイン。ユリ科の球根小属も若干掲載。 Dicotyledons(双子葉植物)巻と比較すると属数が少なく、多彩性では若干Dicotyledons巻にやや劣るかもしれない。 この本(このシリーズ全般)の問題点はやはり価格が高いことだろうか・・・しかし使いもしない百科辞典ウン十冊揃えるよりこの辞典を入れておくほうが遥かに有用であろう。間違いなく「一生モノの多肉辞典」と言えるクオリティを考えると、必ずしも高いとは感じないかもしれない。 主な掲載科：リュウゼツラン科、ユリ科、ヒガンバナ科、ツユクサ科、ヤマノイモ科