Dr M’s favourite and highly recommended books for plant identification include:
“The book of Stace” – This is the affectionate nickname given by Dr M when introducing students to Clive Stace’s “New Flora of Britain” 3rd edition (2010). Advanced and indispensable treatment of the British flora with keys to identify families, genera and species of all native and naturalised species (including hybrids) in the UK. A big and potentially frightening book for the beginner (hence the student limerick below!) but well worth the effort getting to know intimately. Dr M is planning a short video to introduce Clive Stace’s flora to those who have not come across it and for those who have but are too terrified to use it!
Meanwhile Dr M’s trilogy of three posts on how to use the Book of Stace starts here.
Here is a Limerick composed by Dr M’s students about the Book of Stace:
“From Hell came the book of Stace
Which the MSc Students did not embrace
But God created Dr M to help them along
For he is their saving grace!”
April 17, 2013