Les Fougères et plantes alliées d’Europe. 2nd Edition

The most recent international publications and the latest field discoveries have been taken into account in this new edition of Les Fougères et plantes alliées d’Europe, thus allowing a complete update of knowledge on a constantly evolving subject. 8 species and 5 hybrids discovered after 2021 have been added and the book has been completely updated with respect to the now 173 species of European ferns that it covers, including their biology, ecology, and distribution. The book reports important taxonomic updates, particularly on the issue of phylogeny and hybrids (67 hybrids are currently identified in Europe), the hybridization process constituting an important mechanism for the appearance of new species.

This encyclopedic book is also intended to be a practical work, with keys for identifying species. The monographs are largely illustrated, contributing to the aesthetic quality of the book but also facilitating species recognition. Completing the content are further useful features: a chapter dedicated to the chorology of ferns in France; the distribution of each species, which is is shown on departmental maps; details on the status of rarity and protection and the threat factors for each species.

This work will allow all botanists and ecologists to familiarize themselves with ferns and thus contribute to better understanding and protecting them

In the distant geological past, ferns played a fundamental role in the evolution of the living world. The first plants to have truly adapted to the terrestrial environment in the first half of the primary era (with a peak in the Carboniferous period, 300 million years ago), they have continued, thereafter, to perfect their anatomical organization and their development cycle, giving rise to the first forms of flowering plants.

French language