Customer Reviews
Close but no cigar! - By: F. P. Flanagan, 15 Aug 2008 
I'm a huge fan of Francis Rose, & the last wildflower key is a classic that I still use on a daily basis. This revised edition is very clear & concise; the keys are much improved from the last edition, the plastic cover limits water damagein the field & the regional AWI list from Keith Kirbyin the back of the book is invaluable.
However, there are two points that make this book a 4 star rather than a 5 star book: Firstly the book to slightly too big for a field guild & is a bit too heavy. Secondly, sadly this revised edition still contains errors with some outdated Latin names;in particular some of the orchid species names are outdated, despite having changed several years before this book was printed, hmm...
Despite these issues it is still a wonderful book, so don't let me put you off!
Excellent revision - By: Jonathan, 09 Jul 2008 
I'm sorry, Tonyin Edinburgh, but if this book is bigger than the Edinburgh 'phone book; then there can't be too many people who have 'phones!! I have just purchased a copy of the "keys" & put it straight into my backpack. I have been using the original version for many years as a professional botanist (in fact it was my "Bible") & it was literally falling apart. This new version is even easier to use than the last, I would recommend it to anybody interestedin British flora.
Too big for a field guide - By: Tony in Edinburgh, 05 Nov 2007 
I hate to spoil the love-in, but at 900g (2lb) this new edition is simply too heavy to be a practical field guide. This book is thicker than the Edinburgh telephone directory & consequently is highly unlikely to find its way into my pocket or backpack when I am off out. This is a pity because there the book has many good features; greater brevity would have made it a hands-down winner. As it is, the old edition is a more realistic prospect if you want pictures, Stace if you don't.
The best key plus picture guide around? - By: S. Penson, 02 Jul 2007 I got this book as my first `proper' field guide to British plants. The key is very good, & the well-drawn pictures enable beginners to check their identification. I started using this book with only rudimentary botanical skill, & quickly go to the point where I am confident to identify any British plant. The skills I learned enabled my to move onto the `Excursion Flora', & I can now identify all the grasses too!
Allin all, an excellent pocket `flora'-highly recommended.
A review from a complete beginner - By: Brida, 27 May 2007 The original edition of this book was released when I was only a 1 year-old. As a young girl, growing up near to a forest, surrouded by lovely countryside, I remember taking a passing interestin the wildlife & the flowers. For a time, this interest left me, & I began to forget all the knowledge my mum had passed onto me about the wild plants. Recently, I have longed to get this knowledge back, & to expand on it. Finding this book on Amazon, I felt I could not pass it by.
Although it is not meant as a handy field book - the sheer size of it prevents this - this is a great book both for the beginner (like me) & for those who already have a fair bit of knowledge.
The book is organised well, with lovely drawings of the plants. There is also a good introduction to the book, followed by lots of information about how to use the book, the equipment you may want to get, a guide on flower structure, where to find out more, along with other titbits of info.
For the true beginner, there is also a list of abbreviations, as well as an illustrated glossary at the back of the book.
The general key to plant families is a valuable asset to this book; beginners could not be without it.
This is an excellent edition, of what I understand to be a classic text on wild flowers & their identification. I am very pleased with my choicein beginning with this text to guide me on discovering more about wild flowers, trees & shrubs. Although I have a long way to go, I think this will help me immensely; now, as a beginner, I would not be without it.
