Planned in five volumes, this critical flora provides a definitive account of the native species, naturalised species, frequent garden escapes and casuals found in the British Isles. Full keys and descriptions will enable the user to name all plants occurring in the wild, plus some ornamental trees and shrubs. For the first time, detailed accounts of all the large apomictic genera are given and many infraspecific variants included. Each species entry begins with the accepted Latin name, synonyms and the common English name. A detailed description follows, including information on flowering period, pollination and chromosome number. Separate descriptions are given for infraspecific taxa. Information on the status, ecology and distribution (including worldwide distribution) of the species and infraspecific taxa is also given. Clear black and white line drawings illustrate an extensive glossary and also illuminate the diagnostic features in a number of groups of plants.
Review of previous volume: '… a solid reference book of straight taxonomy.' Plant Talk Review of previous volume: '… accurate, detailed and all-embracing accounts of each species.' Irish Naturalists' Journal Review of previous volume: '… an excellent beginning in an impressive undertaking.' HortScience '… a must for all serious botanists with an interest in our regional flora.' New Journal of Botany 'Anyone who is serious about identifying Rubus or Cotoneaster in Britain or Ireland best go and buy a copy now!' M. F. Fay, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 'Flora of Great Britain and Ireland clearly is a life work and the result of a long and scrutinous study of countless amounts of plant specimens, in herbaria as well as in the wild.' Filip Verloove, Willdenowia 'The detail provided on individual plants includes Latin and common English names, as well as colour, shape and form of stems, inflorescence, flowers, petals and fruits. The inclusion of information on ecology, habitat and geographical contexts is especially welcome, adding a broader and environmental dimension to plant description. All of … [this] data will facilitate plant identification, as will the many black and white line drawings provided in the glossary, in which definitions of botanical terms may be found.' A. M. Mannion, The Biologist