Ferns of Kinabalu – An Introduction
By John H. Beaman & Peter J. Edwards – (2007)
198 pages; matt art paper, 185 colour photos, 4 monochrome photographs, 16 monochrome illustrated plates & 2 relationship trees.
Hard Cover: 22.4cm x 15.5cm.
ISBN: 983-812-122-3
Natural History Publications (Borneo) Kota Kinabalu
Among all the amazing flora of Mount Kinabalu (5000 plus species), the huge array of ferns make up some 12% (at least 600 species in 135 known genera) of the total flora found on Kinabalu, which is quite incredible considering that all those fern species are found on a single mountain and many of them endemic. This book does not attempt to cover all of those fern species, but it does cover 100 species from 64 genera that are easily encountered around Park Headquarters and adjacent walking trails.
They are laid out in alphabetical order starting with family, genus then species. For the genera included there is a brief morphological description of the genus. Each species has its scientific name and author with a quite detailed physical description, notes on habitat and altitudinal occurrence followed by local and global distribution. Each species (except one) has 1-4 either or both nice quality colour photographs and monochrome plate illustration – most have 2 photos.
This book is easy to read and user friendly and I have found it very useful for research of fern plants of Kinabalu and Borneo generally and anyone with an interest in ferns or the flora of Borneo should have a copy of this nice book, which is very informative and constructed in a convenient carry size which can easily be put into your shoulder bag or back pack for effortless access while in the field.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Books