Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon and Alaska

Alice Kidd is an editor with The New Catalyst editorial collective in
Lillooet, B.C.

The area this handbook covers is based on ecological distinctions
(spanning “17 degrees of latitude, but ... unified by mountains, rain,
the forest and the sea”), not on political or administrative
boundaries.

Species are grouped into nine categories, including trees, wildflowers,
graminoids, and oddballs (non-photosynthetic plants), and organized by
families. Each entry includes a general description, key vegetative
features, the ecology of the species, and additional notes; most are
accompanied by a picture or two, an illustration, and a location map.
Forty-two keys are available to aid in identification. The reader will
find a simple yet thorough account of the major land plant groups,
although the guide may not provide definitive identification of all
species without some reference to more comprehensive guides in specific
areas.

The guide’s general layout invites the reader to explore. Pages are
color-coded by species grouping and filled with color photos, drawings,
and maps. A detailed and informative introduction includes sections on
the general physical environment, the predominant vegetation, and
human–plant interactions (beginning with aboriginal peoples). There is
also a glossary (complete with drawings), a reference list, and an index
of common and scientific names. The book is a pleasure to read, and
highly recommended.