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Here is a list of books we will be carrying this year:
NEW for 2011
Milkweed, Monarchs and More: A Field Guide to the Invertebrate Community in the Milkweed Patch by Rea, Oberhauser and Quinn
You know how it seems that every time you look closely at a milkweed there is always some critter you can’t identify? This little jewel of a book has pictures of them all; herbivores, scavengers, those gathering nectar and the ones just passing through. I’ll have a few of the smaller 1st edition and also the larger expanded version.
Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers by Oberle and Ladd
This is my favorite field guide when I want a general overview of prairie plants. The pictures are superb and it also includes some grasses, most of the species are native to Oklahoma.
Butterflies Through Binoculars of the West by Glassberg I go back and forth on butterfly field guides, all of them have their strengths and I like the layout of this one a lot. Good maps, pictures and comments about each species.
Urban and Suburban Meadows by Catherine Zimmerman
The term 'meadow' is used interchangeably with 'prairie' in this book which came highly recommended by Doug Tallamy. This is very much a how to guide for making a meadow/prairie in a large or small area, discusses the pros and cons of starting off with seeds or plants, when to burn and other maintenance issues. I found myself underlining and scribbling in the margins. My copy definitely has a loved and broken in look.
Autographed by the author.
Field Guide to Mammals of North America by Bowers, Kaufman and Bowers
This covers all the mammals north of the Mexico border, has handy maps and great pictures which are standard for the Kaufman guides.
Some of you may know how much I have whined over the years that Oklahoma lacks a field guide to wildflowers, well, my complaining days will soon be over! Joy of joys The University of Iowa Press (bless them) is publishing Pat Folley’s wildflower book and it should be available sometime this summer. Pat is a long time member of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, a dedicated botanist and a stickler for getting all the details right. To top it all off she’s a delightful person. We will be having an event of some sort when the book is out. I for one can’t wait!
Still carrying
Gardening with Prairie Plants
Sally Wasowski
This has long been a book I refer to again and again. It has it all, inspiration plus information about perennials, trees, shrubs and grasses of the prairie. Maps, great pictures and a conversational writing style make this a book to curl up with.
Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie
Kelly Kindscher
This is a wonderful source book for anyone who is interested in what, and how, plants were used by those who have gone before us. Includes cultivation, habitat, scientific research, medical history, Anglo uses, Native American uses and much more for 100 plants. Very readable.
Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie
Kelly Kindscher
This ethnobotanical guide provides a real wealth of information about how plants were used as food sources by Native American tribes. Includes range maps, cultivation and habitat information, scientific research and descriptions of 75 prairie plants.
Butterflies of North America
Jim Brock and Kenn Kaufman
This is a comprehensive guide to more than 2,300 images of butterflies, has a convenient index and good range maps. Lists brood times and larval host plants, also shows similar species side by side for comparison.
Field Guide to Insects of North America
Eric Eaton and Kenn Kaufman
I am in a constant quest for the perfect insect guide, this one comes closer than any I have found. There are over 2,300 very clear photos and helpful information to help i.d. all those insects we see in our yards. The immense number of insects in our world prohibits this from being completely comprehensive, but this book allows us to at least zero in on the right family and genus.
The Life Cycles of Butterflies
Judy Burris and Wayne Richards
Technically, this book is geared towards the younger among us, but anyone who is enthralled by the stages of a butterflies’ life will enjoy—and learn—from this book. There are more than 400 stunning photographs covering 23 common butterflies and helpful information about rearing butterflies and larval and nectar plants.
Bringing Nature Home, How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens
Douglas Tallamy
When native plants disappear, insects disappear, then birds and other animals are left without a food source. Tallamy lays out his argument in support of planting natives and then gives practical ways to provide a welcoming environment for wildlife of all kinds. I highly recommend this book.
Forest Trees of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Forestry
If we can’t have Wayne Chambers along when we’re trying to identify trees, then this is the next best thing. Nice line drawings and information as to the range, descriptions of leaves, bark, fruit and uses by wildlife. Inexpensive enough to keep a couple of copies around. Includes the Oklahoma Champion Tree Register.
Caterpillars in the Field and Garden
Allen, Brock and Glassberg
This is an indispensable book for those who are serious about providing a habitat for butterflies at every stage of their development. Some moth larvae are also included. Lists the host plants, habitat, information about butterfly biology and of course the wonderful range map for each species.
Listed below are books that we don't carry but are highly recommended.
Books about gardening with natives:
Growing and Propagating Wildflowers Wm Cullina
Books to inspire:
Noah’s Garden Sara Stein
Butterfly and Moth Field Guides:
Butterflies Through Binoculars, Jeffrey Glassberg
Field Guide to North Am Butterflies Audubon Guide
Golden Guide to Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies and Moths of Missouri Richard and Heitzman
Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars
Insect/Pollinator Guides
I haven’t found the perfect insect guide, these may be helpful even though they are very general
Peterson First Guide to Insects
Golden Guide to Insects
Plant Field Guides:
Oklahoma Wildflowers Doyle McCoy
Roadside Trees and Shrubs McCoy
Roadside Fruits of OK McCoy
Field Guide to OK Plants Tyrl, Bidwell and Masters
Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers Ladd and Oberle
Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas Michael Haddock
There are also many good field guides for MO, AR, KS and TX; depending on your location you might want to seek those out.
Books about nature that make you want to go meet the author:
Second Nature Michael Pollan
Anything by Sue Hubbell or Amy Stewart