Richard S. Felgerhas studied natural history in arid regions worldwide and founded and served as Executive Director of Drylands Institute in Tucson.

"While emphasizing scientific accuracy, the book is beautifully designed with more than 400 illustrations, and written in a clear and accessible style. Felger's observations and knowledge of plant ecology, geographic distribution, evolution, ethnobotany, plant variation and special adaptations, and history of the region will provide botanists, natural historians, ecologists, conservationists and anyone celebrating the desert, with readable, interesting, and important information." - Desert Plants "For biologists and conservationists with an interest in American desert floras or simply in the flora of western North America, this book is a must-have." - SIDA "For those who want to use the book as a botanical reference, it is unbeatable and will, I think, remain the classic for many years to come. . . . Through this excellent book, we can learn more about the ways plants adapt to a harsh environment." - Journal of Arizona History "The reader should not be misled by the seemingly narrow geographical boundaries. The book not only provides carefully researched plant descriptions, but offers insights and a rich discussion of processes that occur in arid lands around the world. In addition to the taxonomic information, a rich trove of ecological and historical data is packed into each of the plant descriptions." - Plant Systematics and Evolution

Richard S. Felgerhas studied natural history in arid regions worldwide and founded and served as Executive Director of Drylands Institute in Tucson.

"While emphasizing scientific accuracy, the book is beautifully designed with more than 400 illustrations, and written in a clear and accessible style. Felger's observations and knowledge of plant ecology, geographic distribution, evolution, ethnobotany, plant variation and special adaptations, and history of the region will provide botanists, natural historians, ecologists, conservationists and anyone celebrating the desert, with readable, interesting, and important information." - Desert Plants "For biologists and conservationists with an interest in American desert floras or simply in the flora of western North America, this book is a must-have." - SIDA "For those who want to use the book as a botanical reference, it is unbeatable and will, I think, remain the classic for many years to come. . . . Through this excellent book, we can learn more about the ways plants adapt to a harsh environment." - Journal of Arizona History "The reader should not be misled by the seemingly narrow geographical boundaries. The book not only provides carefully researched plant descriptions, but offers insights and a rich discussion of processes that occur in arid lands around the world. In addition to the taxonomic information, a rich trove of ecological and historical data is packed into each of the plant descriptions." - Plant Systematics and Evolution

Richard S. Felgerhas studied natural history in arid regions worldwide and founded and served as Executive Director of Drylands Institute in Tucson.

"While emphasizing scientific accuracy, the book is beautifully designed with more than 400 illustrations, and written in a clear and accessible style. Felger's observations and knowledge of plant ecology, geographic distribution, evolution, ethnobotany, plant variation and special adaptations, and history of the region will provide botanists, natural historians, ecologists, conservationists and anyone celebrating the desert, with readable, interesting, and important information." - Desert Plants "For biologists and conservationists with an interest in American desert floras or simply in the flora of western North America, this book is a must-have." - SIDA "For those who want to use the book as a botanical reference, it is unbeatable and will, I think, remain the classic for many years to come. . . . Through this excellent book, we can learn more about the ways plants adapt to a harsh environment." - Journal of Arizona History "The reader should not be misled by the seemingly narrow geographical boundaries. The book not only provides carefully researched plant descriptions, but offers insights and a rich discussion of processes that occur in arid lands around the world. In addition to the taxonomic information, a rich trove of ecological and historical data is packed into each of the plant descriptions." - Plant Systematics and Evolution