Wild Flowers of Britain and Ireland

As our lives become more urbanised, many of us have lost the ability to name these beautiful flowers, whether in cities or countryside, in gardens or conservation areas. This comprehensive field guide will appeal to expert and beginner alike, with over 600 wild-flower specimens from the woodlands, grasslands and chalk downlands and the mountainous, aquatic and maritime habitats of Britain and Northern Europe. Each entry gives: Latin and common names Descriptions of flowers, fruit and leaves (size, colour, structure and fruiting season), height, spread, habitat and region found. Anecdotes on historical background, medicinal or herbal uses and common folklore breathe life into the text. The plants are arranged by colour (white, yellow, orange, red, pink, blue/purple, green/brown/black) so that you don't need botanical knowledge to identify them and the detailed photographs show every aspect of the flower. Superb location photography complements the plant identification shots, showing the plants in natural habitats. Chapters also discuss the importance of wild flowers in their ecosystems, conservation and endangered species and offer advice on designing your own wildflower garden.