I received this DRC from NetGalley.

Good resource to identify native flowers. I really like the pictoral index at the beginning. Pictures, location in California, and a written blurb about each flower is included. I don't think I've seen as comprehensive a collection as this one. I like that it's geared toward practicality and identification.
My only question is - why is one of the flower ecosystem categories "garden escapee?" That doesn't sound like something native.

This is a great, beginner friendly book about wildflowers in California. The information about each flower was concise. The pictures chosen were good and easy to identify. I like how they included information about how the geology, specifically the presence of serpentine and asbestos, can effect what type of flowers grow in a certain location. It's helpful that the sections of the book are broken up by color. I can't believe this was only 20% of the wildflowers in California. This book was long, and since I read it in ebook format, I'm not sure what the physical copy will look like or if it'll be mobile enough to use it as a field guide.

Wildflowers of California - A Timber Press Field Guide by California Native Plant Society is exactly what I have come to look forward to from a Timber Press publication. They have a fantastic range of engaging, informative publications that open up the natural world to everyone

The first thing you come across in this gorgeous book is a really useful colour key to cross match plants you spot and I have not seen this in other horticultural/ botany books I have read. Alphabetical by name, yes, but colour, no, so this field guide is quick reference as well as being highly informative

Secondly, a distinct lack of jargonese. This book is highly accessible, you are not bogged down by technicval terminology and as such, it is a real delight to keep coming back to

Well laid out and beautifully presented with gorgeous photography. An absolute must if you are hiking in California

Thank you to Netgalley, Timber Press and the wonderful California Native Plant Soceity for this absolutely stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

#WildflowersofCalifornia #NetGalley

The new book from the California Native Plant Society is spectacular and so needed!

One of my favorite things about this new book is that the bloom is grouped by color! This seems simple but oh so necessary when trying to ID a wildflower. The other is the photos are big and clear. Also, I noticed everything is included here even the dreaded puncture vine.

The book is a fantastic field guide but also has a category for rare species, botany 101, threats to the flora, and more. Also a great resource section.

I was surprised that a few plants are in this book that I didn't think were "native wildflowers". The hope is that this book will foster stewardship. Awaken an appreciation for the treasures that are out there in California. I am sure this book will achieve that and more!

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review this much-needed book Wildflowers of California by California Native Plant Society.

Although not exhaustingly complete, that would be a very long book indeed; this is a fantastic guide to identifying CA's flowers. It starts with an index by color, of each flower described so the reader can hone in on likely suspects. Next comes a detailed, but short, section on using the book and identifying a plant's characteristics.

In the section on individual flowers there are two per page. Each entry has common & species names, a map showing range, and information about the flower.

It's a great book.