Roadside Plants of Southern California

It has a wide variety of california plants and a description for each. Very helpful with identifying plants. Although, I did feel like it was missing a lot.

This is a good introductory book for the casual hiker or Southern Californian who has some desire to learn about native plants. Its strong point is that many of the plants that one might notice in the local San Gabriel Mountains are pictured in this book, and many of the plants in the book are easy to find in the local mountains and canyons. It has good pictures, and an interesting paragraph on each plant or tree. Usefully grouped into sections (conifers, sages, succulents, etc), and also has some brief technical sections and lists. I have enjoyed carrying it around on short hikes, and found it sort of breaks the ice for a novice/beginner. It is not, nor intended to be, a super-definitive book.

I found this book in our local library and knew that I must own a copy. The book provides excellant color photographs for identification, and common names of the vegetation, which is far preferable for the amature enthusiast. I have come to feel more a part of our little canyon melieu, now that I can identify by name some of its common and familiar flora.

I always assumed that many of the plants I saw along the road were native plants. This is a very valuable resource for anyone who would like to know what they are seeing every day on their commute or on a trip through the state. I always carry a copy in my car. The landscape is so much more beautiful when you know something about it! It also helped when my son brushed against stinging nettles and developed a temporary welt. Start with this book, then become a lover and defender of our most important heritage.