A book series published by BRIT provides a detailed and fully illustrated inventory of native and naturalized plant species for major regions of Texas. These books provide solid science as well as information useful to "user communities," including ranchers, foresters, farmers, Agricultural Extension Agents, horticultural producers, Master Gardeners, homeowners, and developers. George Diggs (Austin College) is primary author, with BRIT associates Barney Lipscomb, Robert O'Kennon, and Robert George (Project Coordinator), and Monique Dubrule Reed (Texas A&M).
* "Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas" Publication in 1999 set the standard and format for the series.
The entire flora is online!
* "Illustrated Flora of East Texas, Vol. 1" (ferns, gymnosperms, and monocots) was published in 2006. Dicots will follow in Vol. 2 (ca 2009) and Vol. 3 (ca. 2012). Geographic coverage of 87 counties; a checklist of the known East Texas plants includes more than 3000 species. The introduction has discussions of geology and geological history, effects of glaciation on the vegetation, soils, settlement and presettlement history, climate, and it presents extensive information on the Big Thicket and Caddo Lake areas. Also: a distribution map for each species, indices for selection of native species that attract birds, help to foresters in teaching bark, resin, fruit, and twig characteristics of the principal timber species, and a quick guide to the common poisonous and medicinal plants.
The entire volume is online! at the Flora of East Texas homepage.
* A floristic volume for the Texas Panhandle region is underway and is planned for publication in the same format as those for North Central Texas and East Texas. Justin Williams (Sam Houston State University, Huntsville) is lead author for the Panhandle work, joined by BRIT collaborators.
Link not yet available.
