Ozark Plants

<p><strong>Ozark Plants </strong>is a full-color field guide to over 500 plant species found in the Ozark Mountain region of southern Missouri northern Arkansas and the northeastern corner of Oklahoma. Illustrated with hundreds of color photographs the book describes each plant followed by a discussion of the plant's distribution habitat and value for wildlife and livestock. A key is provided so that the reader may more easily identify unknown plant specimens. </p><p>The Ozark region is a plateau and mountain area of more than 40000 square miles at the western edge of the eastern deciduous forest and host a rich assemblage of plant species. Overall nearly 3300 vascular plant species are known from the region within approximately 1066 genera and 186 families. This diversity is due in part to a long presence uninterrupted by glaciation varied site and soil conditions and a midcontinental geographic position. This geographical location has resulted in many species with distributional centers outside of the Ozarks reaching their range limits here. For example the range of certain plants from the southwestern United States extends to the Ozarks typically in dry-soil environments such as the glades. On moist north-facing slopes plants from the northern and eastern United States may be found. Some typically southern species occur in special habitats including many parts of the Boston Mountains. </p>