A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina

"Admired by plant enthusiasts, botanists, and nature lovers of all ages, wildflowers comprise one of the most beloved-and diverse-groupings of flora in South Carolina. Although relatively small in size, the Palmetto State hosts a remarkable variety of wildflower species, from the trillium and bloodroot that brighten its forests to heliotrope and common toadflax that dot the state's roadsides and fields. In A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina, wildflowers are defined broadly to include the rich diversity of the plant life of South Carolina and neighboring states. Showy native annual and perennial herbs are emphasized, but shrubs, vines, and trees with showy flowers; showy introduced species; conspicuous grasses, rushes, and sedges; and species of ferns as well as pines, cedars, and bald-cypress are also included. Part 1 of the book includes short essays on topics including carnivorous plants, native orchids, Carolina bays, and the roles and effects of fire and agriculture on the landscape, followed by detailed descriptions of the various plant communities throughout the state's major natural regions from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Piedmont to the coastal plain. Part 2 catalogs nearly 1,000 species, organized by habitat, with extensive descriptions, color photographs, and range maps of each. Entries also include comments on pharmacological uses, suitability for garden cultivation, origin of common and scientific names, and conservation status. A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina offers a complete and indispensable reference for finding and appreciating these natural treasures"--