Literature for the Identification of Wild Flowers

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SteveMcBill
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Literature for the Identification of Wild Flowers

Post by SteveMcBill »

Literature for the Identification of Wild Flowers:

NB: Any links to book details are for information only, and confer no allegiance to any specific supplier. Books may be obtained from other suppliers from whom prices and availability may differ.

Wildflower Identification Literature:

Collins Complete British Wild Flowers – by Paul Sterry. First published 2006, 304 pages, paperback.
A good general field-guide that will fit in a large jacket pocket. Descriptions of over 1100 species with good photos of the flowers.
http://www.summerfieldbooks.com/collins ... owers~1835

Harraps Wild Flowers – by Simon Harrap. First published 2013, 416 pages, paperback.
Another excellent general field-guide, similar in size to the above. Descriptions of 934 species with good photos, distribution maps, glossary, etc.
http://www.summerfieldbooks.com/harrap' ... owers~3665

Wild Flowers of Britain & Ireland – by Marjorie Blamey, Richard Fitter, Alastair Fitter. First published 2003, 482 pages, paperback.
Acknowledged as one of the best field-guides, and only very slightly larger than the above two. With over 5000 excellent colour illustrations, 1600 distribution maps, glossary, etc.
http://www.nhbs.com/title/108194/wild-f ... nd-ireland

Wild Flowers by Colour – by Marjorie Blamey. First published 1997, revised edition 2005, 208 pages, paperback.
Excellent field guide for the beginner, as the plants are sorted by flower colour. Contains over 2000 of Marjorie Blamey’s superb colour illustrations, with short descriptions of more than 1500 species.
http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/wild-flowe ... 713672374/

Collins Wild Flower Guide – by David Streeter, C. Hart-Davies, A. Hardcastle, F. Cole, & L. Harper. First published 2009, 704 pages, hardback and paperback versions.
Similar in size to the above books, but at around 5cm, rather thick for all but the largest of pockets. Perhaps more suited to a rucksack or bag.
Describes over 1900 species, accompanied by good quality colour illustrations and keys.
http://www.nhbs.com/title/105458/collins-flower-guide

The Wild Flower Key (New Revised Expanded Edition) – by Francis Rose & Claire O’Reilly. This edition first published 2006, 576 pages, paperback. Will fit into a large pocket.
Acknowledged as one of the best, but only really suitable for those who prefer to key out their finds based on characteristics. Contains excellent keys, to over 1600 plants, accompanied by good quality colour illustrations. “The only field guide that bridges the gap between picture guides and academic floras”.
http://www.summerfieldbooks.com/the-wil ... eland~1578

New Flora of the British Isles (Third Edition) – by Clive Stace. This edition first published in 2010, 1232 pages, softback.
This is the “Bible” for British plant-life and, as would be expected, contains numerous excellent keys.
Black and white photographs and line illustrations are relatively few, only being included where strictly necessary. Covers over 4800 species and lesser ranks.
A large and somewhat weighty tome, but an essential reference for anyone with lasting interest in British plant life.
http://www.summerfieldbooks.com/new-flo ... -2010~2468

The Vegetative Key to the British Flora – by John Poland and Eric Clement. First published in 2009, 526 pages, paperback. Will fit into a large pocket.
Written with the purpose of allowing the reader to identify plants from vegetation bearing neither flowers nor fruits.
Keys to almost 3000 species, with occasional black and white line illustrations and 24 colour plates. By necessity, the book is of a rather technical nature, and the reader will need to be conversant with many botanical terms. For those who are, this is an excellent reference book.
http://www.nhbs.com/title/162652/the-ve ... tish-flora

Some Online Wildflower Resources:

BSBI online key for identification
:- http://www.botanicalkeys.co.uk/flora/
UK Wildflowers:- http://www.ukwildflowers.com/
Irish Wildflowers:- http://www.irishwildflowers.ie/
The Flora of Devon and Cornwall:- http://www.aphotoflora.com/
Floral Images - Britain, Ireland and Northern Europe:- http://www.floralimages.co.uk/
West Highland Flora:- http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/
Orchid Oberserves Handbook (PDF):- https://static.zooniverse.org/www.orchi ... ide_v2.pdf

anno
Posts: 178
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:50 am
Location: Penketh

Re: Literature for the Identification of Wild Flowers

Post by anno »

Great stuff McBill, many thanks - can I add one ?

First off it doesn't do what the others do and will not ID everything, however its use can open up a new world to both Plants and Geology and other biotic factors: Plants and Habitats: An Introduction to Common Plants and Their Habitats in Britain and Ireland by Ben Averis:
http://www.summerfieldbooks.com/plants- ... eland~3651

I have had this book now for a few months and it is fantastic, its approach is very much habitat focused and its concentration geographically is the North West and Scotland and it identifies via plant structure, not flowers (although they are covered) and it means it can be used in the depths of Winter when as we all know nothing flowers anyway :shock: it also stays away from botanical terminology - you won't find a calyx or sepal in here !

I realize that for some this is controversial but for the new recorder, in conjunction with one of the above tomes (my preference being Fitter et al.), it is a fantastic learning tool, perfect to get the easier stuff 'under your belt' and essential for targeted Phase One surveys for example.

It also covers Grasses, Lichens and Mosses.

It is around the £25 mark but, in my opinion, worth every penny !

anno
Posts: 178
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:50 am
Location: Penketh

Re: Literature for the Identification of Wild Flowers

Post by anno »

One thing I forgot to mention is it also contains the NVC Number in the text for the plant - here's the blurb:

'A new guide to the British flora that incorporates some novel approaches. It combines the species and habitat approaches to plants and vegetation. Although flowers are described and illustrated it also uses vegetative characteristics to enable identification in the absence of flowers. 74 moss and liverwort species are also included. Plants are grouped by appearance and a simple colour key is used to highlight the main points on identification, habitat and human related issues.

Most of the book is an identification guide to 700 plant species selected as those which are common, conspicuous or useful ecological indicators; species which collectively make up most of the vegetation in Britain and Ireland. There is also a separate Habitats section describing the flora, ecology and management of habitats. With this combination of approaches the book aims to help people understand our vegetation at all scales, from individual plants to whole landscapes. The structure and plain English writing style are designed to help with species identification by non-specialists. For those working with habitat classifications, National Vegetation Classification (NVC) codes are incorporated throughout and there are summary tables cross-referencing various classifications. The book is written for a wide readership including those working or training in subjects connected with ecology, conservation, land management and other environmental matters.'.

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