Field guides to plants normally include the same predictable items: plant names (common and scientific), description of plant, leaf, and flower, where it is found, when it flowers, and size. Therefore, I sat down with a short stack of field guides to plants of the Rocky Mountain Region and looked for things that were unique to each particular field guide. These books are from Westcliffe Publishers.

G. K. Guennel. Guide to Colorado Wildflowers. Volumes 1 and 2. Westcliffe Publishers. 1995 and 2004.

These books begin with a description of the common plant life zones found in Colorado. Each volume deals with a different set of life zones. The plant descriptions are arranged by flower color. Each description is accompanied by both a watercolor of the plant and a photograph of the flower and/or other parts of the plant. The watercolors were specifically done for this set of books. Each book would fit easily in your backpack, however they do add a bit of weight you might not want to carry around with you while hiking. They should certainly be on the bookshelf of anyone living in Colorado with a strong interest in the flora of the State.

George Wuerthner. Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region Westcliffe Publishers. 2001.

I loved finding a book that provides a map of a particular "hike" and provides information on where you are likely to find certain plants along that hike. The information was presented in an interesting way. Some of the plants found on that particular hike are described in a sidebar. The hikes are grouped together according to their geographic location. This book could keep a nature lover busy for several years of vacations!

Charles Gurche. Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes Westcliffe Publishers. 2004.

This book is arranged the same as the previous book. The only drawback I find in these books is that you would need additional field guides to have photographs or watercolors of all the plants discussed available for identification purposes. However, you must remember that these are intended as hiking guides so it is logical to assume that the hiker exploring wildflowers will have additional guides in their car or campsite.

Conclusion

I was unfamiliar with this publisher prior to this spring. The quality of their books impresses me. Anyone with an interest in the mountain wildflowers of these states will no doubt want them available.