With approximately 4,000 species of native and naturalized plants, Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of plants that clothe its landscape. It is no wonder, then, that the state named for its flowers should include so many examples of the southern United States’ woody flora. This book covers more than 550 woody shrubs and vines found in Florida.

This volume — a companion to The Trees of Florida, also by Gil Nelson — is the first comprehensive guide to Florida’s native and naturalized woody shrubs and vines. It is organized as an easy-to-use field guide so that even a beginner can learn to identify plants. The line drawings show a combination of typical leaves, fruits, and flowers, and while accurate in detail, capture an overall impression, so helpful when trying to identify a species in the field. The color photos, all taken in Florida, are useful where color is important in identification.

This book will also prove useful to landscape architects and weekend gardeners, for in addition to being a field guide, it also offers important tips about using these plants in urban and suburban landscapes.

With Over 250 Drawings by R. Marvin Cook and Nearly 300 Color Photographs by the Author