Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida, 3rd Edition

by Richard P. Wunderlin, Bruce F. Hansen

The definitive guide to more than 4,000 plants found in the Sunshine State
Expanded and updated, this volume is an indispensable reference to the highly diverse flora of the state. Both popular and comprehensive, this new edition contains updated nomenclature and the inclusion of more than 100 additional species, making it the most inclusive identification manual to the more than 4,200 taxa native to or naturalized in Florida.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Plants, Science, Nature

783 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 1998

Reviews

[Richard Brownscombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

For identifying native plant species in Florida, this is the only nearly-comprehensive reference tome I know. An amateur or enthusiast will find it difficult, but not impossible, to use. It succeeds where iNaturalist fails. The descriptive words of plant parts and characteristics are scientific, so the included glossary is essential and tedious for all except a skilled botanist. Some familiarity with using a key to narrow down choices to a genus and species is helpful.

That said, it allows you to confidently identify a species from a bewildering variety of Florida wild plants. I have been hoping for a decade for the digital version. What ebook on a waterproof smartphone would be more welcome in the middle of the Everglades? And having the search feature for such a huge reference would be almost as thrilling as discovering a rare orchid.

[Anna Nesterovich · Rating 2 out of 5]

As far as guides go this one is far from the best. All that comprehensiveness and updated nomenclature don't mean much now, more than ten years after the publication. There isn't a single illustration in the book, even to demonstrate some points from the keys, nor there any descriptions of the plants beyond sketchy distribution info. I would still use hundred years old guides, if they have good pictures, but the value of a pictureless one is fleeting.

[Charlotte Dune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected pictures and there were none, so it was not as helpful as I had hoped.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and clear.