A Natural History of Ferns

A Natural History of Ferns is an entertaining and informative look at why ferns and their relatives are unique among plants. Ferns live in habitats from the tropics to polar latitudes, and unlike seed plants, which endow each seed with the resources to help their offspring, ferns reproduce by minute spores. There are floating ferns, ferns that climb or live on trees, and ferns that are trees. There are poisonous ferns, iridescent ferns, and resurrection ferns that survive desert heat and drought. The relations of ferns and people are equally varied. Moran sheds light on Robinson Crusoe's ferns, the role of ferns in movies, and how ferns get their names. A Natural History of Ferns provides just what is needed for those who wish to grow ferns or observe them in their habitats with greater understanding and appreciation.

Media reviews of this book:

"These masterfully written tales and the solid science behind them make this a terrific book for fern enthusiasts or anyone interested in our natural world."

—Darrel Trout, American Gardener, July/August 2005

"Most gardeners suspect that there is something very complex about ferns, but few of us have the chance to delve into their mysteries. Robbin Moran's book makes their magic accessible in all its strange detail. "

—Marty Ross, Horticulture, May 2005

"The author has presented his topics with a fresh approach, so that even seasoned fern-lovers will see events from new vantage points."

—Barbara Joe Hoshizaki, Pacific Horticulture, Spring 2005

"A joy to read, this book features science writing that goes beyond description, revealing patterns and mechanisms–the essence of natural history."

—L. G. Kavaljian, Choice, February 2005

"This book is like nothing else on the subject. First, it's not a field guide ... Secondly, it's fun to read."

—Lili Singer, Los Angeles Times, November 4, 2004

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Customer reviews of this book:

"Excellent writing on ferns with many fine examples, diagrams, and photos. Clear and concise writing."

—Janice F. from Boulder, Colorado, December 21, 2005

"Top-notch!"

—Syd S. from Weymouth, Massachusetts, May 16, 2005

An excerpt from this book:

In Shakespeare's Henry IV, Falstaff, Prince Hal and Poins scheme to rob a rich merchant on his way to London in the dark hours of the early morning. Because they need help with the heist, one of Falstaff's henchmen tries to persuade another thief to join them. He says to the thief, "We steal as in a castle, cock-sure; we have the receipt of fern-seed, we walk invisible," to which the thief replies, "Nay, by my faith, I think you are more beholding to the night than to fern-seed for your walking invisible" (act 2, scene 1, lines 95–98). What do the thieves mean by fern seed? Anyone who has taken a botany course knows that ferns do not have seeds; instead they disperse by tiny dust-like spores ...

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