The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain & Ireland

The introduction sets out the background, the previous compilations, and the very extensive developments over the last century
This is followed by accounts for all the native species, with the exception of the three largest critical groups – Rubus, Hieracium & Taraxacum. For completeness this includes up to 40 species whose recent status has shuffled between native and alien.

For each species there is:
– the first Literature reference, commencing with the works of
William Turner.
– the first Evidence (herbarium specimen, manuscript or other)
– a relatively critical account of every significant national flora or
herbal since 1538.
– a list of the principal periodicals from 1666 to date.
– lists of census catalogues and lists of plants.
– details of county floras with a very good history of discovery.
– books on the history of botany.
– developments in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
– major herbaria whose contents are known, however broadly.

These are supplemented by a list of the discoverers of each plant, where known and with sources (~ 500 names) and lists of the plants they discovered.

Over 900 references.