he Manual de plantas de Costa Rica is a concise, illustrated 
guide to all of the species of native, naturalized, and commercially 
cultivated seed plants of this Central American country, which 
lies between Nicaragua and Panama and is thus centered in 
isthmian Central America — a biogeographical funnel between South and 
North America, densely rich in species and geological history. The Manual 
is the first comprehensive Spanish-language account of the Costa Rican 
flora. The work is presented in a series of volumes; Volume I, a general 
introduction, is the third to appear. 
Volumen I. Introduction 
This volume consists of five chapters dealing with the history of botanical 
exploration in Costa Rica, the physicaL.aspects of the country, the vegetation 
(its characterization, distribution, and afialysis), the botanical novelties 
discovered during the preceding 15 years, and a detailed description of the 
layout of the treatment volumes. A compkte list of literature cited is included 
at the end, as well as an appendix to scientific names. Most chapters are 
illustrated with numerous black-and-white photographs for a total of 
ca. 90 photos of botanists, habitats, anéhplants. Eight pages of color plates 
are also included. " 
Barry Hammel is curator at the Missoufi Botanical Garden. He has worked 
there since 1984, and at INBio since its-beginning in 1989. He lives in Costa 
Rica. Michael Grayum is curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden where he 
has worked since 1984. He lived in Co8ta Rica from 1984 to 1990 and now 
lives in Missouri. Cecilia Herrera has been the Manual project’s assistant 
since its official beginning in 1987. Nélson Zamora is curator and head of 
the botany department at INBio, and has also been involved with the Manual 
project essentially since its beginning. 
Missouri Botanical Garden Press 
P.O. Box 299 
St. Louis, MO 63166-0299 
www.mbgpress.org ails sib * 
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Jacket design by Gobberdiel Graphic Design, St. Louis, Missouri; 
from a concept by Silvia Troyo. 
Printed in the U.S.A. 
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