This abundantly illustrated monograph is the most comprehensive generic treatment of legumes for any geographical area of Mexico. The book covers the genera of legumes known to be present in northern Mexico from Tamaulipas to Baja California Sur. The introductory material covers typography, climate, and vegetation types of northern Mexico.
One hundred twenty-one genera are treated in three families: Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, and Caesalpiniaceae. The Fabaceae is the most abundant family with 87 genera, followed by Mimosaceae (19) and Caesalpiniaceae (15). Keys to the families, tribes (only in Fabaceae), and genera are included. Detailed line drawings of distinguishing characteristics are included for most of the genera to facilitate identification. Each genus is provided with a description, followed by distributional information, species number, chromosome number, and economic, ecological, and potential food importance.
Until now there has been no easily usable illustrated work with which to identify genera of legumes in northern Mexico or to get current summarized information. Because this is so richly illustrated (over 500 individual drawings), this handbook will be most welcomed by students, teachers, research botanists, legume taxonomists, conservationists, and natural history enthusiasts. It will be a field book for botanists and naturalists in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States and serve as a reference for all of Central and North America.
Further, with increased interest in ecological and environmental concerns, including native species in landscaping, wildflowers, poisonous plants, and medicinally useful plants, there is a significant demand for a usable guide to one of the most important families of plants of northern Mexico and the southwestern US. Los Géneros de Leguminosas del norte de México brings this and more information current and accessible.