National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Wildflowers of North America

by David M. Brandenburg, Craig Tufts (Foreword)

Wherever even the smallest green thing grows, there you’ll find wildflowers, be they huge, showy tropical blossoms or pretty, tiny bloomers. North America alone is home to thousands of species—and the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide celebrates that wide diversity in grand fashion. From Acanthaceae to Zygophyllaceaei , this beautiful, portable volume provides the common and scientific names for each flower family; information on the flowering season; leaf, stalk, and blossom descriptions, with measurements; and color range maps of more than 700 species for both native and introduced types. There’s no better guide to take along while camping, hiking, or enjoying a nature walk. - More than 2,200 species of - More than 2,200 species of wildflowers in a single, portable volume - 4,019 stunning color photographs by leading nature photographers - Wildflowers arranged by genus and include genus descriptions and range maps
- Captions highlight important field marks - Information on season and habitat for each species - Fruit illustrations included for several plant families - Range map shows U.S. distribution - Separate section on species introduced into North America - Quick-identification key arranged by color and shape - Detailed, illustrated visual glossary of flower parts and leaf types - Essays on wildflower habitats and conservation - Waterproof cover for use in the field

Genres: Field Guides, Reference, Plants, Nature, Natural History

672 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2010

Reviews

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This field guide was amazing. I got very excited seeing flowers that grow all over North America that I have never seen before. Especially the plants in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Time to fire up the truck for a road trip.

The big bonus in this guide is the section of introduced species. That is something worth making a copy of and sticking it in your field bag.

You never know what beauty you can find on waste ground or elsewhere and want to know what it is.

[Vivian Wiltshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a good, comprehensive field guide to all of our local flowers. I think I may have found it in this book. I took this book from my library but now I think I may have to purchase it for myself. A great book for my personal use. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice piece in the budding naturalist's tool kit, if only for the organization by plant family and the surprising number of coverage (if there isn't a picture, at least it tells you how many species in that genus are found in the U.S.). You learn quickly that onions are a kind of lily and that bluets are related to coffee. I like the range maps and descriptions of family characteristics, but the key is not that helpful and it does not show the leaves (A trade off for the sheer number of plants covered).

[Autumn Eden-Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, thorough and informative. I have found that I still need to use a western region guide to help identify plants along the coast but this book is fantastic. I love that each flower includes a map highlighting regions the flowers can be found in. This is tremendously helpful when two flowers look pretty much alike but you are not sure. The water proof cover, fold out foliage guide, ruler, etc are nice additions. I have kept it in my car for easy access when out hiking.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to use if you don;t know what family of genus a plant is in. I would use it if I was in an unfamiliar area, otherwise I would use a book dedicate to that particular area that has all the species and keys.

[David Mccarrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel weird giving a field guide 5 stars, but this was a very helpful book. It really does have almost all of the wildflowers of North America; but mostly United States

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great field guide (and not just because one of my photos was published in it! =)