Sierra Nevada Wildflowers

I took this wildflower guide with me to Yosemite and Tahoe areas, and found it helpful. The photos are clear and colorful. The species are grouped by family (Rose Family, Milkweed Family, etc.) and scientific names are shown beside the common names. A typical species description is about one-third of a page, straightforwardly written, sometimes with a paragraph on "similar species" to help you distinguish among them. The introduction very briefly covers the Sierra's geology, plant distribution (zones), habitats, and how to use the book. The appendices cover: Identifying Serra Nevada Conifers (illustrated, plus a Simple Key); Terms You Should Know (botany basics); Glossary; General References; Index. Because of the glossy paper, this book is fairly heavy for its size (214 pages) so it may not be feasible to take on long hikes where packweight could be a factor.

This is the book for those of us who want to be able to identify wildflowers in the Sierras. The format makes it easy to find the wildflowers in question. An added bonus is the description of where each plant grows. As a avid hiker, mountain biker, and artist who lives in the Sierras, this book will stay in my daypack!