Steven G. Newmaster, Allan G. Harris, and Linda J. Kershaw. Wetland Plants of Ontario. Lone Pine. 1997.

Bogs, fens, marshes, swamps, and the shores of lakes, rivers, and streams are all home to plants that love to have moist or downright wet soil for their roots to grow into. Wetland Plants of Ontario is a field guide to plants of those habitats. The book is illustrated with full color photographs and has accompanying black and white line drawings showing the entire plant, or illustrating leaf shape.

The books is divided into sections for woody plants (shrubs, trees); herbs (non-woody flowering plants); grasses, sedges and rushes; aquatics (grow directly in the water); ferns and allies (including horsetails, club mosses); and the Bryophytes (mosses). Each plant description includes general information, leaves, flowers, fruits, where the plant is found, and extra notes. I find these descriptions very thorough and easy to understand. There are identification keys for some of the plant groups.

This book is clearly written as a field guide to plants of specific habitats. It will be enjoyed by all plant lovers dwelling in Ontario or bordering States. If you live in these regions, this definitely should be found in your backpack on field trips and on your gardening bookshelf for reference.