"Sikkim is a tiny state (7,096 km²) located in the northeastern part of India. Its habitats stretch from the alpine areas of the high Himalayas (8500 m) to subtropical valleys (300 m) that receive over 500 cm of rainfall per year. It is one of only three ecological hotspots in India. With so many different habitats, it is not surprising that an area only 0.2% that of all of India harbors 50% of India's 1000 pteridophytes. The Sikkim State Biodiversity Board has begun to document the incredible diversity of this area, and assigned the challenge of producing a pictorial handbook to B.S. Kholia who is a very experienced pteridologist and extremely competent photographer. ... This pictorial guide can have international appeal, particularly because of the photos. The author has used the latest taxonomic concepts in naming the ferns thus the handbook can provide a useful supplement to unillustrated floras. It is especially interesting to note the variety of species in genera that are also well-known in North America. Many of the ferns of Sikkim would be hardy in gardens throughout the world."--American fern journal, v. 101, no. 2, p. 129-130
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