Wildflowers of Calgary and Southern Alberta

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

These two volumes are “fun and friendly” introductions to the most
common wildflower species in central and southern Alberta. The central
Alberta guide covers 145 species found in the area between Edson and
Vermilion, Fort McMurray, and Red Deer. The southern Alberta guide
covers 160 species found between Red Deer and the U.S. border.

In each book, the wildflowers are arranged by plant family, with
instructions for “keying” or classifying a plant by shape and
arrangement of its parts. This traditional format makes these guides
more complex to use than guides that arrange the plants by the color of
their flowers. However, it is also more likely to produce an accurate
identification.

For each plant, there is a description of what to look for in
identifying the plant. A subsequent “Did you know?” section
describes traditional and medicinal uses, as well as edibility and
toxicity. Stunning closeup photographs, which appear on each page,
facilitate the identification process.

Although there is considerable overlap between the volumes, they are
inexpensive enough that anyone with an interest in wildflowers will want
to own both. Recommended especially for public libraries in Alberta.