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Available photo:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Susan Crane, Director of Marketing
215-247-5777 x121 or cranesj@pobox.upenn.edu

Second Edition Release of The Plants of Pennsylvania
An Illustrated Manual
Compiled by Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block of the Morris Arboretum
Illustrations by Anna Anisko

PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania, a state of diverse geography and geology, is rich in flora. The second edition of The Plants of Pennsylvania identifies the nearly 3,400 species of trees, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, aquatic plants, and weeds native to or naturalized in the Commonwealth.

Retaining the clearly written identification keys and descriptions that made the first edition such an essential reference, this new edition has been reorganized to reflect recent advances in our understanding of plant relationships. Families and genera are listed in a sequence determined by current studies of plant molecular genetics, thus providing new insights for the study of botany. In addition, species have been added to the book as a result of new discoveries. The botanical illustrations of Anna Anisko continue to complement the descriptions and add an element of beauty to the volume.

Developed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Flora Project, and compiled by botanists at the Morris Arboretum, the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the second edition of The Plants of Pennsylvania is the authoritative guide to Pennsylvania's plant life. It will be indispensable to taxonomists, conservationists, ecologists, foresters, land planners, teachers, agricultural county agents, students, and amateur naturalists.

"Finally, an illustrated guide to the flora of Pennsylvania written by highly respected authorities! A highly technical but user-friendly manual; every serious amateur and professional naturalist in Pennsylvania will want a copy."—Larry J. Schweiger, President, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, commenting on the first edition

At the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Ann Fowler Rhoads is Senior Scientist of the Pennsylvania Flora Project, Timothy A. Block is Director of Botany, and Anna Anisko is Botanical Illustrator. They are coauthors and illustrator of The Trees of Pennsylvania: A Complete Reference Guide, also available from the University of Pennsylvania Press

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is located at 100 Northwestern Avenue in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. In June, July, and August the public garden is open from 10 to 4 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, on Thursday nights we are open from 10 to 8:30, and on Saturday and Sunday our hours are 10 to 5. The 92-acre horticulture display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a Victorian landscape. The Arboretum features numerous picturesque spots such as a formal rose garden, Japanese gardens, swan pond, meadows, and the elegant Fernery. The Morris Arboretum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.morrisarboretum.org.

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