Newcomb's Wildflower Guide

I love the outdoors, but until recently was unable to identify much beyond maybe a dozen or so trees and a few birds. One day I got tired of looking at the undergrowth in woods and only being able to say "those are plants," and decided to buy a field guide to start learning them. I did some research and eventually hit upon this guide as one that was not only thorough, but good for beginners to wildflower identification in my area. I was not disappointed. The book's greatest asset by far is its key; it allows you to get very close to the species you're looking for based on a few easily identifiable characteristics (the arrangement and type of leaves, and the number of petals) that even a total novice can understand. Once you've found the correct page to start on, it lists plants by genus and provides reasonably good pictures and short descriptions. There have been a few times where I've failed to identify a plant through Newcomb's, identified it some other way (e.g. iNaturalist), and then come back to Newcomb's and realized I had missed some important feature. The key is very good. Newcomb's also possesses an excellent index that lists plants both by common name and scientific name. Once I started to get the hang of things, I found this index extremely helpful if I had a hunch about a plant's genus, since I could find it in there and go directly to its species without going through the key. The book is not without its faults, however. For example, the genera are not always correct, and some species really are missing. For example, the genus of American Asters, Symphyotrichum, is listed under Aster, and it appears that Persicaria longiseta is completely absent (this has caused a decent amount of confusion for me, because the book invariably leads me to spotted lady's thumb instead). Both of those are, I think, a simple result of the guide's age, and are neither fatal to its quality nor to your botanical learning. Another criticism I have seen is that the book does not organize plants by taxonomic relationships. For a serious botanist this is undoubtedly a real problem, but I think that might be a strength for some beginners. I can only speak for myself, but I've used other guides that *were* organized by families and found them somewhat confusing. The process of learning plants just by their morphological characteristics has given me enough points of reference that now those taxonomic relationships make more sense. Therefore, I would caution anyone new to botany who is questioning buying Newcomb's on that basis -- try it out. It's not an expensive book, and it will get you out there in the woods and fields. Learning about nature by sight, touch, and smell is the fundamental thing; let the taxonomy come later.

“Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide” by Lawrence Newcomb This is a combination “field guide and “identification solver system”, and a very good one. It is written to cover the area of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River and north of a line overlaying the southern border of Tennessee. Needless to say it is very relevant for the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge. It is the type of “decision tree” (or grid) where the reader looks at the plant and answers five generic questions about it (e.g. leaf shape, etc.) in order and that leads them through the book to the identification. Once the reader does it a few times it is much, much faster to do than it is ton describe in writing. A particularly welcome advantage with this book is it doesn’t matter if the plant is in its’ bloom (color) season or not

I'm new to identifying plants. Previously I just would google it and search through photos online forever. I was a bit nervous to see how this book worked as I had gotten a tree and shrub book that was very very involved and difficult to understand. however, this book has a great intro to tell you everything you need to know and great pictures to describe everything you are looking for. Great system. So easy to use. I did 4 practice flowers last night of just pictures of flowers from online and correctly keyed them each time. Love it! All you have to be able to see are the flower petals, leaves and to say if it's a flower vine or shrub and you'll get to your answer. Same chart every time and every term is described and illustrated plus a glossary. They were even so kind as to put some flowers in multiple places in the book when there was a strong chance a novice would describe it one way when it technically is truly another. Anticipating my mistakes for me! Easy Peasey

The top spine of the book is torn. This was a new book so I’m disappointed to get it already worn. It’s not worth it to send back and wait for another.

I like the way the information is presented. The categories make it so much easier to identify plants. I got this one because I had seen it before, and another friend of mine who is a Forester said it was the best guide for plant identification.

Lovely colored photos & updated latin names!

The written content seems fine enough, but this book and the last book I bought from Amazon reeked of Febreeze or some other horrible perfumey smell. I think I'm going to start buying my books at a dedicated book seller. Amazon, if you're listening, move your books out of the household cleaners section of the warehouse.

I have a stack of wildflower guides but I almost always pull this one out first. I love the identification system which quickly filters your "search results" to just one or two pages. I dislike flipping through pages and pages the way many other guides typically force you to do. I find the key pretty easy to use with just a little bit of botanical terminology. I dearly wish a guide like this existed for the central U.S. Wildflower identification can be challenging, for us amateurs, but we have a wealth of print and electronic resources available and I use them all. This guide is not perfect. The coverage area is limited, and descriptions for some species are a bit thin, but if you're in region covered by this guide, and you don't need lots of pretty pictures in your field guide, this one belongs in your arsenal.

This book is an excellent reference for home gardeners, students, and professional land care specialists seeking to identify various plants suited to their region. It is easy to follow, well written, conveniently portable for field use, and arrived in mint condition. The price is excellent, the packaging is professional, and overall, this purchase is highly recommended for both home and professional use.

Great Book. There is a key system which you have to learn in order to identify plants. So you need to know that before buying. However, I am told that once mastered you will never go wrong on your id of a plant. Lots of black and white plus colored pics. The key system does not rely on color like many books do. This is a good thing. IT teaches the core of learning how to identify plants by leaves, stems, flowers etc etc. The most valuable aspects. But must take time to read and learn.

If you are looking for a handy comprehensive native wildflower book this is it. Also has a few coloured pictures. Great info.

The key works well - this is one of the best books for identification I'm told.

I love this book to help me identify the plants around me for edible and medicinal purposes.