British wild flower identification.

Quite a few years ago I was loaned a small book - the friend who
loaned it to me died some years ago - which I think was termed a
"Flora".

Let me explain the book's contents and use.

On the first page (say) was a list of possible heights (say) of wild
plants. Alongside each possibility was an instruction such as, "Go to
page 6". On one's selected height page were more choices - shape and
size of leaf say - and further instructions to see other pages which
listed other classes of plant characteristics; stems, flowers, flower
colours and structure, time of flowering etc. It was like a computer
programme in BASIC; sort of "If Then Else"!

Eventually one came to a list of the names of possible plants
matching the characteristics one had chosen. I cannot remember if
there were pictures.

My questions are, "What is the correct term for such a book?. Do you
know the title etc. of one?". and "Whence can I obtain a copy of
one?".

Thanks and regards

Geoff

Geoff wrote...
> Quite a few years ago I was loaned a small book - the friend who
> loaned it to me died some years ago - which I think was termed a
> "Flora".
>
> Let me explain the book's contents and use.
>
> On the first page (say) was a list of possible heights (say) of wild
> plants. Alongside each possibility was an instruction such as, "Go to
> page 6". On one's selected height page were more choices - shape and
> size of leaf say - and further instructions to see other pages which
> listed other classes of plant characteristics; stems, flowers, flower
> colours and structure, time of flowering etc. It was like a computer
> programme in BASIC; sort of "If Then Else"!
>
> Eventually one came to a list of the names of possible plants
> matching the characteristics one had chosen. I cannot remember if
> there were pictures.
>
> My questions are, "What is the correct term for such a book?. Do you
> know the title etc. of one?". and "Whence can I obtain a copy of
> one?".

It's called a "Key". The standard British/N W Europe key is "The Wildflower
Key" by Francis Rose. Published by Warne and was £12.99 when I bought my
copy - although it's just coming out in a new edition. The first part of the
book is the key and then it links to detailed descriptions in the illustated
field guide.

The Collins pocket Guide "Wild Flowers" by Fitter & Fitter - illustrated by
Blamey - has a much simplified short key based just on flower type, number
of petals and colour. It can be much easier to use for casual browsing
although obviously not anywhere near as scientifically rigorous - and you
usually finish up having to flick through several likely candidates to find
a final ID.

David

"David Lee" <davidlee_malvern@dont.use.this.bit.hotmail.com> wrote in
message news:fOidncRx8LqTx-nZnZ2dnUVZ8t2dnZ2d@eclipse.net.uk...
> Geoff wrote...
Snip
>> My questions are, "What is the correct term for such a book?. Do
>> you
>> know the title etc. of one?". and "Whence can I obtain a copy of
>> one?".
>
> It's called a "Key". The standard British/N W Europe key is "The
> Wildflower Key" by Francis Rose. Published by Warne and was £12.99
> when I bought my copy - although it's just coming out in a new
> edition.

Snip

David,

Thanks very much for the prompt reply - by the bye; it seems that
cricket is not such a good rain making ceremony as declaring a
hosepipe ban - it's pouring again on the I.W.!!!

Geoff

Geoff wrote...
> ...by the bye; it seems that cricket is not such a good rain making
> ceremony as declaring a hosepipe ban - it's pouring again on the I.W.!!!

Yes - I got soaked this morning doing a batbox check in Herefordshire too.
Lots of blue tit nests, a dormouse and a single soprano pipistrelle right at
the end - out of 100 boxes!

David

	#1
Geoff	British wild flower identification. Quite a few years ago I was loaned a small book - the friend who loaned it to me died some years ago - which I think was termed a "Flora". Let me explain the book's contents and use. On the first page (say) was a list of possible heights (say) of wild plants. Alongside each possibility was an instruction such as, "Go to page 6". On one's selected height page were more choices - shape and size of leaf say - and further instructions to see other pages which listed other classes of plant characteristics; stems, flowers, flower colours and structure, time of flowering etc. It was like a computer programme in BASIC; sort of "If Then Else"! Eventually one came to a list of the names of possible plants matching the characteristics one had chosen. I cannot remember if there were pictures. My questions are, "What is the correct term for such a book?. Do you know the title etc. of one?". and "Whence can I obtain a copy of one?". Thanks and regards Geoff

	#2
David Lee	Re: British wild flower identification. Geoff wrote... > Quite a few years ago I was loaned a small book - the friend who > loaned it to me died some years ago - which I think was termed a > "Flora". > > Let me explain the book's contents and use. > > On the first page (say) was a list of possible heights (say) of wild > plants. Alongside each possibility was an instruction such as, "Go to > page 6". On one's selected height page were more choices - shape and > size of leaf say - and further instructions to see other pages which > listed other classes of plant characteristics; stems, flowers, flower > colours and structure, time of flowering etc. It was like a computer > programme in BASIC; sort of "If Then Else"! > > Eventually one came to a list of the names of possible plants > matching the characteristics one had chosen. I cannot remember if > there were pictures. > > My questions are, "What is the correct term for such a book?. Do you > know the title etc. of one?". and "Whence can I obtain a copy of > one?". It's called a "Key". The standard British/N W Europe key is "The Wildflower Key" by Francis Rose. Published by Warne and was £12.99 when I bought my copy - although it's just coming out in a new edition. The first part of the book is the key and then it links to detailed descriptions in the illustated field guide. The Collins pocket Guide "Wild Flowers" by Fitter & Fitter - illustrated by Blamey - has a much simplified short key based just on flower type, number of petals and colour. It can be much easier to use for casual browsing although obviously not anywhere near as scientifically rigorous - and you usually finish up having to flick through several likely candidates to find a final ID. David