The plants at the end of the world

Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago off the southern coast of Patagonia, divided between Chile and Argentina. "Flora of Tierra del Fuego" is a serious, scholarly work by David M. Moore, who studied the plants of this distant land for a considerable time. The book covers both the Pteridophyta (ferns) and the Spermatophyta (seed plants, including flowering plants).

The book starts off with general chapters on Topography, Geology, Climate and soils, Vegetation types and History of botanical exploration. The species presentations are heavy with technical terms - this is obviously not a book for the beginner or causal tourist. Yet, it could be used as an identification guide, since it also include keys, black-and-white drawings and range maps. If you ever visit Tierra del Fuego, don't forget to bring me Sisyrinchium patagonicum, Philesia magellanica or Gavilea australis... ;-)

I give this guide to the plants at the end of the world four stars.