The Shrub Identification Book: The Visual Method for the Practical Identification of Shrubs, Including Woody Vines and Ground Covers (Paperback)

~ George W. Symonds (Author), A. W. Merwin (Photographer) "The leaves, buds and twigs of the three plants in this top row are found opposite one another; all other thorny plants in this book..." (more)
Key Phrases: Alternate Section, Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Visual Method for the Practical Identification and Recognition of Shrubs (and vines and ground covers) -- and an important supplement to existing botanical methods.

The book is in two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details which look alike, narrowing the identification of a shrub to one of a small group -- the family or genus.

Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the shrub is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities. The details of laurel blossoms on this plate are an example and are followed in the book by details of laurel fruit, leaves, and bark.

All of the 3,550 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of fresh material carefully selected from the more than 20,000 specimens collected. Wherever possible, details such as leaves, fruit, twigs, etc., appear in actual size; otherwise, similar details are reproduced in the same scale.

Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; First Edition edition (February 1, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688050409
• ISBN-13: 978-0688050405
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Shrubs
  #19 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Trees
  #60 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Botany

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic guide!, July 24, 2000

By	merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I bought both Symonds' Shrub guide and Tree guide. They are both terrific! The Shrub guide has not only shrubs but also vines and ground covers. It has plants that I've been wanting to be able to id for ages but because the only book I had found until now were wild flower guides, I was always at a loss. This book is fantastic. It has master plant pages a the back so you can look at all the parts of the plants together (I use this when i have an idea of what it might be already and just need to narrow it down) or you can go to the parts sections in the front of the book and go to "leaves" for example and search that way. Its the best approach I've seen and the pictures, although black and white - are terrific. They show great detail and actuall because they're b/w you're not confused by variations in color. Definitely one one my best books - the one I go to first.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rare and valuable multiple entry key, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

"This is a 'multiple entry' key, a rare type. You can start with any part of the plant - leaf, twig, flower, bark, even armament -- and quickly reduce your possibilities or confirm your id.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, August 5, 2001

By	merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I think this book is great. I've been able to id almost every tree/shrub we've got in our woods (I also purchased some of the other books by this author so I can id vines and things too). True the pictures are in black and white but it really isn't a big deal. You're looking at leaf shape and vein designs and things like that - it would be green and white if it were in color. I think its a terrific reference and I'd buy it all over again