I love the outdoors, but until recently was unable to identify much beyond maybe a dozen or so trees and a few birds. One day I got tired of looking at the undergrowth in woods and only being able to say "those are plants," and decided to buy a field guide to start learning them. I did some research and eventually hit upon this guide as one that was not only thorough, but good for beginners to wildflower identification in my area. I was not disappointed.
The book's greatest asset by far is its key; it allows you to get very close to the species you're looking for based on a few easily identifiable characteristics (the arrangement and type of leaves, and the number of petals) that even a total novice can understand. Once you've found the correct page to start on, it lists plants by genus and provides reasonably good pictures and short descriptions. There have been a few times where I've failed to identify a plant through Newcomb's, identified it some other way (e.g. iNaturalist), and then come back to Newcomb's and realized I had missed some important feature. The key is very good.
Newcomb's also possesses an excellent index that lists plants both by common name and scientific name. Once I started to get the hang of things, I found this index extremely helpful if I had a hunch about a plant's genus, since I could find it in there and go directly to its species without going through the key.
The book is not without its faults, however. For example, the genera are not always correct, and some species really are missing. For example, the genus of American Asters, Symphyotrichum, is listed under Aster, and it appears that Persicaria longiseta is completely absent (this has caused a decent amount of confusion for me, because the book invariably leads me to spotted lady's thumb instead). Both of those are, I think, a simple result of the guide's age, and are neither fatal to its quality nor to your botanical learning.
Another criticism I have seen is that the book does not organize plants by taxonomic relationships. For a serious botanist this is undoubtedly a real problem, but I think that might be a strength for some beginners. I can only speak for myself, but I've used other guides that *were* organized by families and found them somewhat confusing. The process of learning plants just by their morphological characteristics has given me enough points of reference that now those taxonomic relationships make more sense. Therefore, I would caution anyone new to botany who is questioning buying Newcomb's on that basis -- try it out. It's not an expensive book, and it will get you out there in the woods and fields. Learning about nature by sight, touch, and smell is the fundamental thing; let the taxonomy come later.
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Reviews with images
Easy Peasey (esp. for newbies!)
I'm new to identifying plants. Previously I just would google it and search through photos online forever. I was a bit nervous to see how this book worked as I had gotten a tree and shrub book that was very very involved and difficult to understand. however, this book has a great intro to tell you everything you need to know and great pictures to describe everything you are looking for. Great system. So easy to use. I did 4 practice flowers last night of just pictures of flowers from online and correctly keyed them each time. Love it! All you have to be able to see are the flower petals, leaves and to say if it's a flower vine or shrub and you'll get to your answer. Same chart every time and every term is described and illustrated plus a glossary. They were even so kind as to put some flowers in multiple places in the book when there was a strong chance a novice would describe it one way when it technically is truly another. Anticipating my mistakes for me! Easy Peasey
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017
I'm new to identifying plants. Previously I just would google it and search through photos online forever. I was a bit nervous to see how this book worked as I had gotten a tree and shrub book that was very very involved and difficult to understand. however, this book has a great intro to tell you everything you need to know and great pictures to describe everything you are looking for. Great system. So easy to use. I did 4 practice flowers last night of just pictures of flowers from online and correctly keyed them each time. Love it! All you have to be able to see are the flower petals, leaves and to say if it's a flower vine or shrub and you'll get to your answer. Same chart every time and every term is described and illustrated plus a glossary. They were even so kind as to put some flowers in multiple places in the book when there was a strong chance a novice would describe it one way when it technically is truly another. Anticipating my mistakes for me! Easy Peasey
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2010
Top reviews from other countries
Annie
Great book with an easy to use key to identify
Reviewed in Canada on August 9, 2021Amazon Customer
i have had my own copy for years and since it one of my favorite books re
Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2017Joan M. Mckenzie
... key works well - this is one of the best books for identification I'm told
Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2017