I am sure that I can state without fear of contradiction that few naturalists, including the most resolute and dedicated among us, possess in-depth knowledge of mosses and their allies, and almost certainly pay them little attention.
This is the book to help you understand the taxa more completely, alleviate your reticence to explore them, and to acquire knowledge hitherto deemed impossible - if you even thought about it at all. A winning combination by any measure.
Joanna Wilbraham has done a masterful job in guiding us through the world beneath our feet. Your next walk through the forest will be more complete than it has ever been before.
I did not know the author at all, but a Google search reveals that she is relatively new to the profession and already making her mark. I am confident that we may look forward to more scholarly works in the future.
Apart from anything else, there are delicious new words to learn. Who can fail to rejoice in Anthocerotophyta, Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta? The reader is marched through complete pathways, include an introduction, and sections on life cycles, anatomy, distribution and habitats, interactions with people, bryophytes in the Anthropocene (not good as you might imagine), and bryophyte diversity.
There follows multiple generic accounts, wonderfully done, with a description, range map, full colour picture and notes on distribution, etymology (music to my ears), number of species, appearance and habitat.
I am already resolved today or tomorrow to take the book with me into my backyard, where rocks and an old patio have a liberal growth of moss, to test my proficiency with the book.
Princeton University Press is to be congratulated for producing so many wonderful books on a wider and wider range of organisms. We are the privileged beneficiaries of an ever increasing store of knowledge at our fingertips. As a confirmed Luddite who cherishes physical books above most things in life, these volumes are very precious to me and I suspect they will be to you too.
As always, full use is made of the ubiquity of digital photography, and each page is filled with glorious illustrations. It is a sensual experience merely to flip through the pages. Beware, however, you will get sidetracked and linger long. But, how better to spend your time?
Welcome - or welcome back - to the amazing world of Anthocerotophyta, Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta. You are in good company!
Mosses, Liverworts & Hornworts of the World: A Guide to Every Order - Princeton University Press
Joanna Wilbraham
US$32.00 - £28.00 - ISBN: 9780691265193
Hardcover - 240 pages - many coloured illustrations, maps, charts and diagrams
6.75 x 9.5 inches (16.875 x 23.75 cm)
Publication date: 05 August, 2025
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That book would have been something for me, David. I think moss and lichen are such exciting plants. At my son's cabin there is a lot of moss growing that I have never seen before. It is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
A result that synthesized the activity of many years.
ReplyDeleteI love those words too and it would be such a pleasure to sit in your library David and devour all those books! I did order the insect book and can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
...this is a topic that I'd love to know more about.
ReplyDeleteMosses are a fascinating group of small plants, reaching only 1-10 cm in height.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy touching them. I do so very carefully because they are so delicate and easily damaged. The book is beautifully published, and your wonderful review encourages me to read it.
Sending summer greetings.
I think my Grandie would like that one!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is not too far off!
DeleteGosh...Anthocerotophyta, Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta...so many new words for me...I like moss!
ReplyDeleteI had a course at university where for one lesson, we had a look at Bryophyta and Marchantiophyta. I do remember a few things, like Czech common names of a few species but I'm very far behind when it comes to this stuff. However this book looks so amazing. Very pleasant to the eye. :)
ReplyDeleteI welcome the opportunity to learn more about these organisms that are ubiquitous but often unnoticed in our lives. This book sounds like a valuable resource for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought moss on old brick buildings looked cool.
ReplyDeleteWonderful book review. I enjoy the variety of subjects you read about.
ReplyDeleteI like photographing moss.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, David! Thanks for sharing this. In response to your question on my post today, I have not been to the Arboretum. Remember, though, I do not have a car and take public transit...and I need to find a good day to do it. I have, though, been to the Ecomuseum! :)
ReplyDeleteSomething I know nothing about so this book would help. :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing another worthwhile and informational read.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice new header, and I think it would be great to identify different mosses. When I visited Japan I went to a moss museum which ended up being fascinating. Who would have thought? Happy new week to you David.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that a moss museum is the hallmark of a great civilization!
DeleteHi David! what a pleasure it´s to read a review like this, full of curiosity. It makes me want to look at the soil with diff´rent eyes and start saying Anthocerotophyta as if it were nothing, so fresh! jajaj
ReplyDeleteHappy new week! Gros bisous 🤩🍀💝😍🌺🍀🍦👍
I'm back because i forgot to congratulate you on the stunning banner! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
ReplyDeleteThey are a much overlooked group of plants - and fascinating once you get to know them/
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Looks a nice book. Plenty of moss growing in our old growth forests.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fantastic book, David.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about mosses.
Greetings Irma
I am sure you are not alone, Irma.
DeleteHi David - I've always loved these sorts of plants ... while that Moss Museum Erika mentions would be wonderful to visit. As you say a book worth taking out with you to ponder your home-grown wild ones ... fun - thanks for the introduction - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this book about mosses. It's a very interesting theme of nature indeed.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I didn't know what a liverwort was and looked up the word Marchantiophyta. Now I know. Thank you for spreading knowledge to readers like me who are far from mosses.
ReplyDeleteI have a different book on moss and lichens and it isn't as clear as this one is. However, moss and lichens are fascinating to me.
ReplyDeleteHello David :)
ReplyDeleteThis book looks like fascinating read. I already have a book which covers mosses, ferns, grasses, and lichen, but if I didn't, this book would certainly be of great interest.
Hugs and kisses
Sonjia.
I would like to learn more information about this topic. It seems a great book.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is fascinated by mosses and lichens - and has quite a bit of both in her garden - this probably would be a good book for me. However, all these new words scare me a little bit - hard enough in one's native tongue, but in a foreign language (no matter what, English will always be a foreign language to me) it's quite discouraging. Well, I don't have to decide right away, do I? The image on the back of the book has some resemblance to the moss (?) I found this spring on one of the decomposing pieces of thick bark in my garden. It is indeed a fascinating world. A big hug to you for another very tempting recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Carola (of course you are right), English will always be a foreign language to you, but let me reiterate that your fluency, style, nuance and flair at least with the written language (I have never heard you speak) surpasses many people who learned English from their mother’s knee. I am constantly impressed.
DeleteWhen I speak, everybody guesses right away that I am German because of my accent. I will never lose that.
DeleteI totally agree that mosses and their buddies often get overlooked, so it's awesome that Joanna Wilbraham has created something to make them more accessible. And hey, any book that introduces you to words like Anthocerotophyta is a win in my book! I hope you have fun exploring your backyard mosses with it!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melodyjacob.com/
When we were in Patagonia we encountered all kinds of mosses. They were quite interesting. That book would have been helpful I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteEsta información nunca viene mal.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, David.
Tengo nueva entrada en mi blog.
Un abrazo.
This looks like a beautiful book. As a kid, my mom and I used to make moss gardens, but pretty much just one or two kinds of mosses from our woods. This is a whole different level!
ReplyDeleteA moss garden sounds very appealing.
DeleteLove your header. That tree bark is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYou are right!!....to me moss specialists belong to another level!!...they can see differences where I can't.....fantastic book!.......Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteBuena idea llevar el libro a explorar tu patio trasero, aprenderás algo más de los musgos. Me gusta verlos en las rocas. La cabecera está preciosa . Es un canario?
ReplyDeleteBuena noche David.
Un abrazo.
Es un Chipe de Cabeza Amarilla en Cuba.
DeleteGracias. Buen jueves.
DeleteThank you for your review.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Oh, I'll have to look for this book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen you come in from the back yard, please tell us what you found.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like an amazing book, thanks for the detailed presentation.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there were so many species of mosses and lichens!!
I think I've seen two or three species in my life.
Fascinating world of plants and new words!!
I'm far sure that this is a fascinating book I'd love to read, thank you for this post of yours David!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely remainder of your week
Daniela @ ~ My little old world ~ (Dany)
Otro libro interesante para mí, me encantaría tenerlo. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete