Viking Colour Identification Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns of the British Isles and North Western Europe
Reviews
Views
Date of last review
1
1700
Mon 30, May, 2011
Recommended By
Average Purchase Price
100% of reviewers
£30.00
Quality
Value
Performance
10.00
5.00
10.00
Description:
Essential reading for both the amateur gardener and professional botanist, this is a definitive and comprehensive guide to all the native and naturalized grasses, sedges, rushes and ferns to be found in the British Isles, and all those that are frequently found in north-western Europe. Over 420 species are described and over 350 are illustrated in full colour plates of exceptional beauty and accuracy. Following the general nomenclature and classification, the author describes each species in detail, stressing the features most important for accurate identification. There is also an invaluable illustrated glossary of technical terms and plant structures.
Registered: April 2007 Location: Liverpool Posts: 22
Review Date: Mon 30, May, 2011
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £30.00| Rating: 10
Strengths:
The use of Keys, quality of illustrations
Weaknesses:
size, cost at full price
I bought this book to use in my studies at university (FdSc Ecology and conservation Management). In my opinion this is an excellent book to accompany Francis Rose's Wild Flower Key. It follows a similar layout in that there is a key combined with detailed black and white line drawings of plant structures, such as ligules which are used for identification. There is also a section with colour plates and descriptions which are clear and detailed. The colour illustrations in my opinion are better than photographs for identification.
The book in my opinion has only a couple of negative points one is the size of the book. It can be used as a field guide (pocket size would be better) its size makes it better suited to being used at home. The other is the cost £50 RRP though it can be found for around £30. If you looking for a book to help in the identification of grasses, sedges, rushes and ferns; even with the negative points mentioned, this is one book I would recommend.
