Best plant ID guidebook.

[chimpy leon]

Im looking for the Rolls Royce of U.K. plant ID books, something really quite comprehensive with high quality photos, detailed descriptions and one that covers a large number of what we can expect find in the wild and in our gardens. Doesn’t have to cover fungi.

Any recommendations?

 

[Broch]

The definitive plant ID books are "The Wild Flowers Key" by Francis Rose and "Wild Flowers of Britain and Ireland" by Marjorie Blamey et al. However, both are botanical illustrations not photos, but they are the two books used by botanists. Rose uses a key which takes some getting used to, but is excellent.

I have just bought "Harrap's Wild Flowers" by Simon Harrap - good clear photos but limited to 934 species (Rose is 1,600 species).

You might also consider Geoff Dann's book "Edible Plants" if it's more foraging your interested in - good clear photos of over 400 species (Geoff sometimes contributes to threads on this forum).

 

[Broch]

Here are example pages from the first three:

Rose -




Blamey -




Harrap -

 

[chimpy leon]

Thank you Broch I will look for them.

 

[Suffolkrafter]

Those books look great Broch.

I came across a Roger Phillips book on wildflowers the other day on someone's bookshelf, but can't remember it's exact name. It contained photos, and was presented in the chronological order in which the plants flower throughout the year, and so a given plant featured more than once in it's various states, which was an interesting concept. It seemed a little scarce on detail though.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

Here are example pages from the first three:

Rose -

View attachment 74648


Blamey -

View attachment 74649


Harrap -

View attachment 74650

What he said - I've got the wild flower key and Geoff Danns book. Both, well, biblical shall we say? Brilliant books.

 

[rogue_0]

Stace Flora of the British Isles, is what serious botanists go for.

 

[Broch]

Stace Flora of the British Isles, is what serious botanists go for.

True, historically, but I can't recommend it for anyone that is not either a botanist or heavily into the subject. But, each to their own, my bear brain can't cope with it

 

[rogue_0]

The field book version is less intense, and has a rugged plastic cover which is very useful.

But F.Rose is very good start.

J Polands Vegetative key is very good too.

The FSC keys are good, especially if travelling light. Make sure you get the different habitat keys as well as the flora's.