Plants of Coastal British Columbia, including Washington, Oregon & Alaska

by Jim Pojar, Andy McKinnon

This easy-to-use field guide features 794 species of plants commonly found along the Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers, aquatic plants, grasses, ferns, mosses and lichens. PLANTS OF COASTAL BRITISH COLUMBIA covers the entire length of the British Columbia coast, from shoreline to alpine. Includes: * 1100 color photographs * More than 1000 line drawings and silhouettes * Clear species descriptions and keys to groups * Descriptions of each plant's habitat and range * 794 new color range maps. * Rich and engaging notes on each species describe aboriginal and other local uses of plants for food, medicine and implements, along with unique characteristics of the plants and the origins of their names. For both amateurs and professionals, this is the best, most accessible, most up-to-date guide of its kind.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Plants, Nature, Field Guides, Science

528 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Adelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing and well organized field guide, I just wish it included mushrooms.

[Tracee · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a metric ton of information packed into this book. It doesn’t get any better than this.

My only feedback would be the print is too small for these eyes but I understand it had to be this way to pack this much information into this size of book.

[Vivian Wiltshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I used for a floral/plant I was doing. I used it as a reference book for my images. It wasn't want I needed but did manage to use a few things. Gave this book as a reference book a 3.5 out of 5!

[Dai · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book on plants in my area that I've ever encountered. comprehensive, intuitively arranged, and full of interesting information

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You do not precisely 'read' this book, but I have browsed, referred to, and otherwise made very good use of this book.

The book is well laid out with several keys to help the reader find the plant that they are trying to identify. Each listing has a consistent set of detailed listings on various characteristics of the plant (general, leaves, flowers, and ecology) accompanied by photos and/or diagrams. I especially enjoy the notes, which give tips on how to distinguish a plant from a similar one, uses aboriginal peoples have for the plants, whether a plant is edible (or toxic), and so on. It is obvious a great deal of thought, research, and infield work went into the creation of this book. The writing is accessible to the layperson, but also not 'dumbed down'. Plus, a handy glossary at the end explains the meanings of many of the 'sciencey' words as they are used in this context.

As someone who both works and recreates as an environmentalist, this is a book that I value, and that I know many of my colleagues (professional and non-paid field people) have in their libraries. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the flora of this region.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book for anyone interested in coastal plants. The pictures are color and make identification easy even for me. The detail provided is wonderful for a Plant Geek like me - I can learn all about how First Nations used the plants in healing and for food and ceremonial purposes. This book goes with me each and every time my bf and I go camping. I've learned so much from it. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[e · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciate this book and am looking forward to using it on hiking trips as a helpful field guide. Also looking forward to marking up the pages!
From what I've read so far, Pojar and Mackinnon do an excellent job. I only wish that "shrubs" were also organized by plant family as the "flowers" are, but perhaps that's just the botanist in me.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best BC plant field guide I've come across. Beautiful pictures, helpful descriptions, ecology and identification tips. Notes on each plant have useful information about edibility, uses, or things to watch out for.

[Daniel Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not the most thorough book out there, this accesible field guide is a fantastic resource for beginner and intermediate plant enthusiasts. The great pictures, anecdotal information, and book format are perfect for IDing the more common plants of Coastal BC.

[Buckminster Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've ever owned. If I could have only one book, this would be it. Hands down the best book for identifying wild plants in this area. Nothing else comes close.