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Lawrence Newcomb
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Newcomb's Wildflower Guide Paperback – April 13, 1989

by Lawrence Newcomb (Author), Gordon Morrison (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 938 ratings
See all formats and editions
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An ingenious key system for quick, positive field identification of wildflowers, flowering shrubs and vines in Northeastern and North-central North America.

Amateur and expert alike can quickly and accurately identify almost any wildflower using Lawrence Newcomb's system, which is based on natural structural features that are easily visible even to the untrained eye. Every time you see an unknown plant, ask yourself the same five questions (related to the type of plant and the structure of its petals and leaves), and you will be directed to the page on which the plant can be found. Beautiful illustrations make confirmation easy.
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  1. Print length
    490 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Little, Brown and Company
  4. Publication date
    April 13, 1989
  5. Dimensions
    4.75 x 0.88 x 7.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0316604429
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316604420
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have tried Newcomb's key on flowers I know, and have been delighted by the ease with which they can be identified. The illustrations seem clear, precise, and definitive. This very salutary combination should make this guide a boon to amateur as well as the professional botanist..."―Eliot Porter

"Anyone who likes wildflowers and is planning a vacation trip to the North Central or Northeastern states will do well to take along this new guide."―Dallas Morning News

"Will be most useful for the identification of wild plants by amateurs and plant lovers. It is certainly an innovative guide for field trips...―S. Dillon Ripley, Smithsonian Institution

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; Reprint edition (April 13, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 490 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316604429
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316604420
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.75 x 0.88 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 938 ratings

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Lawrence Newcomb

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
938 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for identifying plants. They appreciate the well-organized layout, clear illustrations, and precise descriptions. However, opinions differ on the key's ease of use, with some finding it excellent and easy to understand, while others find it tricky for beginners.

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Information qualityLayoutEase of use
119 customers mention "Information quality"116 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's helpful information. They find it a handy guide to bring with them in the field. It provides an interesting and well-thought-out system for plant identification that they haven't seen before. The dichotomous guide is easy to use, and it makes it very simple to identify plants. The book has a great index that lists plants both by common name and scientific name.

"I like the way the information is presented. The categories make it so much easier to identify plants...." Read more

"...The key is very good.Newcomb's also possesses an excellent index that lists plants both by common name and scientific name...." Read more

"...Once you figure out how the guide works - its a great companion to easily figure out plants, their purpose and what you can use and what you should..." Read more

"An actual system to identify plants…not just thumbing through the book or hoping they are in flower because that is the only clue you have!..." Read more

20 customers mention "Layout"16 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well-organized and clear. They appreciate the illustrations and writing style.

"...Bravo to the author and illustrator. You will always hold a place in my heart for what you have given me in this guide. Thank-you Bonnie" Read more

"...It is well laid out, and has a clear dichotomous key...." Read more

"...And the drawings (which I usually prefer to photographs) are clean and clear...." Read more

"...Another criticism I have seen is that the book does not organize plants by taxonomic relationships...." Read more

16 customers mention "Ease of use"6 positive10 negative

Customers have different views on the book's ease of use. Some find the key clear and easy to use, while others find the material difficult for beginners to understand due to its technical nature and complicated methodology.

"...This guide is not perfect...." Read more

"...The key is very good.Newcomb's also possesses an excellent index that lists plants both by common name and scientific name...." Read more

"...Harder to use of flower isn’t present." Read more

"...but the format and organization of the material is very tricky to figure out." Read more

Easy Peasey (esp. for newbies!)
5 out of 5 stars
Easy Peasey (esp. for newbies!)
I'm new to identifying plants. Previously I just would google it and search through photos online forever. I was a bit nervous to see how this book worked as I had gotten a tree and shrub book that was very very involved and difficult to understand. however, this book has a great intro to tell you everything you need to know and great pictures to describe everything you are looking for. Great system. So easy to use. I did 4 practice flowers last night of just pictures of flowers from online and correctly keyed them each time. Love it! All you have to be able to see are the flower petals, leaves and to say if it's a flower vine or shrub and you'll get to your answer. Same chart every time and every term is described and illustrated plus a glossary. They were even so kind as to put some flowers in multiple places in the book when there was a strong chance a novice would describe it one way when it technically is truly another. Anticipating my mistakes for me! Easy Peasey
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Nancy F Low
    5.0 out of 5 stars Makes identification easy
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I like the way the information is presented. The categories make it so much easier to identify plants.
    I got this one because I had seen it before, and another friend of mine who is a Forester said it was the best guide for plant identification.
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  • Paul Pernici
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Beginners
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I love the outdoors, but until recently was unable to identify much beyond maybe a dozen or so trees and a few birds. One day I got tired of looking at the undergrowth in woods and only being able to say "those are plants," and decided to buy a field guide to start learning them. I did some research and eventually hit upon this guide as one that was not only thorough, but good for beginners to wildflower identification in my area. I was not disappointed.

    The book's greatest asset by far is its key; it allows you to get very close to the species you're looking for based on a few easily identifiable characteristics (the arrangement and type of leaves, and the number of petals) that even a total novice can understand. Once you've found the correct page to start on, it lists plants by genus and provides reasonably good pictures and short descriptions. There have been a few times where I've failed to identify a plant through Newcomb's, identified it some other way (e.g. iNaturalist), and then come back to Newcomb's and realized I had missed some important feature. The key is very good.

    Newcomb's also possesses an excellent index that lists plants both by common name and scientific name. Once I started to get the hang of things, I found this index extremely helpful if I had a hunch about a plant's genus, since I could find it in there and go directly to its species without going through the key.

    The book is not without its faults, however. For example, the genera are not always correct, and some species really are missing. For example, the genus of American Asters, Symphyotrichum, is listed under Aster, and it appears that Persicaria longiseta is completely absent (this has caused a decent amount of confusion for me, because the book invariably leads me to spotted lady's thumb instead). Both of those are, I think, a simple result of the guide's age, and are neither fatal to its quality nor to your botanical learning.

    Another criticism I have seen is that the book does not organize plants by taxonomic relationships. For a serious botanist this is undoubtedly a real problem, but I think that might be a strength for some beginners. I can only speak for myself, but I've used other guides that *were* organized by families and found them somewhat confusing. The process of learning plants just by their morphological characteristics has given me enough points of reference that now those taxonomic relationships make more sense. Therefore, I would caution anyone new to botany who is questioning buying Newcomb's on that basis -- try it out. It's not an expensive book, and it will get you out there in the woods and fields. Learning about nature by sight, touch, and smell is the fundamental thing; let the taxonomy come later.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great pocket book for learning ones surroundings
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book after an outing at and sponsored Women in the Outdoors event. Once you figure out how the guide works - its a great companion to easily figure out plants, their purpose and what you can use and what you should expect and avoid. I highly recommend using clear contact paper as a book cover to protect it from moisture if you use it outdoors
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  • sue ulrich
    4.0 out of 5 stars The BEST!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    An actual system to identify plants…not just thumbing through the book or hoping they are in flower because that is the only clue you have! Have used this book for years. This one is for a friend just starting.
    Helpful
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  • Raymond M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It doesn't cover every wildflower you'll find, but the ones it covers it covers them in depth. Worth adding to your collection.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Michael Nystrom
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best wildflower guide out there.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Lawrence Newcomb's easy to use key works well for amateurs and professionals alike. It covers a wide variety of wild plants. I have been using it for over 40 years. Still the best. An essential field guide for the curious.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Eileen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb plant identification book.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Newcomb's method is easy to learn for ages 10+. Highly recommended.
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  • ladyofthecamelias
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Wildflower Guide
    Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This wildflower guide was recommended to me by a professional botanist. It is a fantastic book for anyone interested in learning to identify wildflowers.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lisa Franklin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love the way this book is laid out! Easy to use and is a fantastic guide. It was recommended in my Horticulture course.
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  • Kitkatkitty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Handy reference book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    If you are looking for a handy comprehensive native wildflower book this is it. Also has a few coloured pictures. Great info.
    Report
  • Aeriol Nicols
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for Identification
    Reviewed in Canada on April 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great Book. There is a key system which you have to learn in order to identify plants. So you need to know that before buying. However, I am told that once mastered you will never go wrong on your id of a plant. Lots of black and white plus colored pics. The key system does not rely on color like many books do. This is a good thing. IT teaches the core of learning how to identify plants by leaves, stems, flowers etc etc. The most valuable aspects. But must take time to read and learn.
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  • Annie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with an easy to use key to identify
    Reviewed in Canada on August 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book to help me identify the plants around me for edible and medicinal purposes.
    Report
  • Joan M. Mckenzie
    4.0 out of 5 stars ... key works well - this is one of the best books for identification I'm told
    Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The key works well - this is one of the best books for identification I'm told.
    Report