The Wild Flower Key (Revised Edition) - How to identify wild plants, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland - Francis Rose, Clare O'Reilly (Author updated edition)

I'm a huge fan of Francis Rose, and the last wildflower key is a classic that I still use on a daily basis. This revised edition is very clear and concise; the keys are much improved from the last edition, the plastic cover limits water damage in the field and the regional AWI list from Keith Kirby in the back of the book is invaluable.

However, there are two points that make this book a 4 star rather than a 5 star book: Firstly the book to slightly too big for a field guild and is a bit too heavy. Secondly, sadly this revised edition still contains errors with some outdated Latin names; in particular some of the orchid species names are outdated, despite having changed several years before this book was printed, hmm...

Despite these issues it is still a wonderful book, so don't let me put you off!

Excellent revision (1/1 people found this helpful)

I'm sorry, Tony in Edinburgh, but if this book is bigger than the Edinburgh 'phone book; then there can't be too many people who have 'phones!! I have just purchased a copy of the "keys" and put it straight into my backpack. I have been using the original version for many years as a professional botanist (in fact it was my "Bible") and it was literally falling apart. This new version is even easier to use than the last, I would recommend it to anybody interested in British flora.

Too big for a field guide (7/9 people found this helpful)

I hate to spoil the love-in, but at 900g (2lb) this new edition is simply too heavy to be a practical field guide. This book is thicker than the Edinburgh telephone directory and consequently is highly unlikely to find its way into my pocket or backpack when I am off out. This is a pity because there the book has many good features; greater brevity would have made it a hands-down winner. As it is, the old edition is a more realistic prospect if you want pictures, Stace if you don't.

The best key plus picture guide around? (1/1 people found this helpful)

I got this book as my first `proper' field guide to British plants. The key is very good, and the well-drawn pictures enable beginners to check their identification. I started using this book with only rudimentary botanical skill, and quickly go to the point where I am confident to identify any British plant. The skills I learned enabled my to move onto the `Excursion Flora', and I can now identify all the grasses too!

All in all, an excellent pocket `flora'-highly recommended.

A review from a complete beginner (25/25 people found this helpful)

The original edition of this book was released when I was only a 1 year-old. As a young girl, growing up near to a forest, surrouded by lovely countryside, I remember taking a passing interest in the wildlife and the flowers. For a time, this interest left me, and I began to forget all the knowledge my mum had passed onto me about the wild plants. Recently, I have longed to get this knowledge back, and to expand on it. Finding this book on Amazon, I felt I could not pass it by.

Although it is not meant as a handy field book - the sheer size of it prevents this - this is a great book both for the beginner (like me) and for those who already have a fair bit of knowledge.
The book is organised well, with lovely drawings of the plants. There is also a good introduction to the book, followed by lots of information about how to use the book, the equipment you may want to get, a guide on flower structure, where to find out more, along with other titbits of info.
For the true beginner, there is also a list of abbreviations, as well as an illustrated glossary at the back of the book.
The general key to plant families is a valuable asset to this book; beginners could not be without it.

This is an excellent edition, of what I understand to be a classic text on wild flowers and their identification. I am very pleased with my choice in beginning with this text to guide me on discovering more about wild flowers, trees and shrubs. Although I have a long way to go, I think this will help me immensely; now, as a beginner, I would not be without it.

The Wild Flower Key (Revised Edition) - How to identify wild plants, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland

Francis Rose, Clare O'Reilly (Author updated edition)

Reader Reviews:

Close but no cigar! (0/0 people found this helpful)

Excellent revision (1/1 people found this helpful)

Too big for a field guide (7/9 people found this helpful)

The best key plus picture guide around? (1/1 people found this helpful)

A review from a complete beginner (25/25 people found this helpful)

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