Michigan Wildflowers in Color (Wildflowers (Paperback))

This book was originally published in 1985, and my copy belongs to the eighth printing in 1999. Its popularity is well-deserved. Author and photographer, Harry C. Lund has spent many years hiking through bogs, forests, meadows, and sand dunes in Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas and its off-shore islands in order to put together this book for us. I have yet to find a Michigan wild flower that isn't listed in this guide. The book is well-bound and would easily fit into your backpack for a walk through the wild.The flower photographs are grouped by color for ease of location. They are then listed in the order in which they appear during the growing season, which is a little trickier to use. I basically start at the beginning of a color group and page through until I find the flower I'm trying to identify. There are generally six photographs to a page, with the text on the facing page. In some cases, the photographs are a bit too small to easily recognize the flower, but when combined with the text there should be no identification problem.At the beginning of "Michigan Wildflowers in Color," the author has illustrated textual terms such as 'stipules' or 'basal leaves' with a collection of line drawings. The plant descriptions include location, seasonal display, height, and information on whether the flower is protected and should not be picked or moved.There is a quiz at the back of the book to test your 'flower power.' There is also an 'Observer's List' to keep track of the flowers you do find. Unfortunately, the first entry I wanted to check off wasn't on the list! Perhaps this is because Crown Vetch is not really a wild flower, although its photograph and description appear in the main section of this book.The author has also mapped out eight wildflower trails in various Michigan habitats, plus the seasonal species of flowers that can be found there.In total, "Michigan Wildflowers in Color" is a very helpful guide, especially when used in combination with a book like the Peterson "Field Guide to Wildflowers" where the drawings might serve as a confirmation or a backup to Lund's photographs. Leaves in particular are easier to identify through Peterson's drawings.

This book would be more useful if the photos were larger and more detailed. They offer descriptions of the flowers, but sometimes it is still hard to tell between certain varieties. I also wish they would cross-reference with flowers often misnamed by one another, so the reader may double check accuracy.That said, the book is still really fun and useful. It is sweet to know that it was developed by a married couple in Michigan that were truly passionate about Michigan wildflowers.A plus is the wildflower walking trails they offer throughout the state, and the check list in the back of the book to help the reader keep track of what they have seen.

I take this book along for my walks in the woods. An excellent book for identifying the flowers. Nice clear pictures.

I took pictures of different wild flowers I saw while hiking, and was very happy to find all the wild flowers in this guide. The guide is very well organized (by color) and so very easy to find flowers.I found the index at the front of the book very useful. It helps me determine what wild flower will grow in my backyard.

Really like the way book is set up. Lots of good information

This book fits so much into a small package. If you love Michigan wildflower this is a MUST HAVE.

I love having something written by an old family friend (Harry & my mom knew each other as kids, grew up in the same town.

Great little books, easy to use and make a nice gift for people who take walks and enjoy Michigan plants and flowers.