Customer Reviews

Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've realized that I'll never become a good botanist. Or even amateur botanist. For starters, I find flowering plants confusing. The other day, I thought I had made a sensational discovery of orchids in my *boring* strolling area, only to find out that the "orchids" were actually mints or figworts. And how many small plants with red flowers are there out there? How on earth do you tell which is which??? Moreover, the kids from a local day care centre have seeded some plants of their own in the forest next to the industrial zone where I work, making the local flora even more confusing. Two weeks ago, I even found a Lilium martagon (it took me days to identify it, leafing through several different books). It must have gone AWOL from some nearby garden plot!

Second, this field guide didn't exactly help. Every time I follow the keys, I end up on a page spouting dozens of similar-looking species, plus another dozen that aren't even illustrated. Pick your choice! (But yes, Lilium is there.)

The illustrations aren't bad, and the book is supposed to be pocket sized so you can easily bring it out in the field. A more comprehensive field guide would look like a medieval bible, and be just as heavy. (They are!) Yet, I just can't bring myself to like Fitter, Fitter and Blamey. "The Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe" is as densely packed as a train in rush hour. And, as already mentioned, many of the species mentioned aren't even on the colour plates.

I'll give it three stars for old times sake. I actually have the 1979 edition!

And now, please show me some ORCHIDS.

easy book with easy categories so you can work out what the flower is by its shape. has colour drawings which help, and gives all the names, local as well. some of the wild flowers turn out to be ones we buy and plant ie. not so wild. Very useful when you come across a plant and can't think what it is.