Lynn Clark, associate professor of botany, recently helped write a book on bamboo in America.

The book, titled “American Bamboos,” is a scientific publication describing the species of bamboo found in North, Central and South America. The book also details bamboo’s native growth areas and structures.

“It seemed that nobody really knew about American bamboo,” Clark said. “There was a need for this book, and we felt like this was a good time to write it.”

Clark is an expert on bamboo, having spent 20 years researching more than 500 species of American bamboo plants all over the Western hemisphere.

Clark’s colleagues said “American Bamboos” is a very informative publication.

“The book is a landmark publication that will be the major reference work in the field for decades to come,” said Jonathan Wendel, professor of botany.

David Oliver, chairman of the botany department, agreed that Clark is an excellent authority about the subject matter.

“She is the leading expert in the nation and the world on new-world bamboos,” he said. “I think it’s a really positive thing for the university to be showcasing this quality of work.”

Clark said she is one of four authors who worked together to write the book.

The other experts include Emmet Judziewicz, associate scientist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison; Ximena Londono, botanist from Cali, Colombia; and ecologist Margaret Stern, associate scientist at the New York Botanical Garden.

Judziewicz was first to think of the idea for the book. Clark said the four colleagues first talked about writing the book in 1991 and got serious about the project in 1993.

They started writing in 1994 and submitted the manuscript to the Smithsonian Institution Press in 1997.

Clark said the reviewers’ initial comments were positive, and by the end of 1997, the book was in the process of being published.

The authors first saw the book in early February of this year.

Clark said the book was designed in part for scientists such as botanists or ecologists, but it could be used as a general book because of its excellent photography.

“There’s lots and lots of great color photos,” Clark said.

There are 130 color photos and 70 line drawings in “American Bamboos.”

Clark said the photos and illustrations were made possible by financial support from the American Bamboo Society and the Florida-Caribbean chapter of the national organization.

“We are very, very grateful to these contributors,” she said. “It would have been a much different book without them.”

Clark said the book can be ordered directly from the Smithsonian Institution Press or from Amazon.com. It also is available at various bookstores.

The book currently is on display on the first floor of Curtiss Hall.

Clark has been a member of the ISU faculty for 11 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in botany from Michigan State University, and she received her doctorate at ISU.