This lavishly illustrated and accessible reference book provides a comprehensive guide to the world of wild flowers and flora--including trees, shrubs, herbs, cacti, weeds, grasses, aquatic plants abd mosses. An expertly written introduction explains what wild flowers are, and how they are classified. Detailed annotated illustrations show how to recognize the dirrerent parts of a plant, including petals, buds, fruit, seeds and stigma. The role of each of these plays in the life of the plant is explained, and the diversity of leaf and flower form, shape, structure and plant habit are discussed as key features of plant identification. Wild flowers survive and proliferate in many differing landscapes, from desert scrub, heaths, mountains and moors to hedgrows, sand dunes, riversides and lakeland. The main features of each of these habitats are described in full. Next, there is a lavishly illustrated encyclopedia arranged according to geographic region. The flowers are grouped within plant families, and the key features of each are described. For enery entry, information is given on flower coloration, size and shape, stem height and spread, leaf size and shape and number of flower per flowerhead, as well as details of its environment and the pollinator. With more than 1700 wonderful illustrations, maps and photographs, this richly illustrated to the world's flora provides a comprehensive reference book to be used by the whole family.--Front book flap.