More than 680 species of flora in full color, for desk or field use
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. With color photographs (all by Richard D. Porcher) and extensive descriptions of more than 680 species, A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina offers a complete and indispensable reference for finding and appreciating these natural treasures.
Employing the same innovative approach Richard D. Porcher used in Wildflowers of the Carolina Lowcountry, he and Douglas A. Rayner simplify the task of identification by grouping species according to habitat. For each species identified, Porcher and Rayner include interesting facts--many of which are not widely known or readily available--about rarity, suitability for garden cultivation, and origin of common and scientific names.
Of added interest, the botanists share itineraries for more than fifty wildflower expeditions and short essays on a variety of topics, including carnivorous plants, Carolina bays, native orchids, medicinal plants and folk remedies, poisonous plants, edible plants, and the role of fire in natural communities.
About the Author: Douglas Alan Rayner is an associate professor of biology at Wofford College, where he teaches courses in botany, ecology, and evolution. A native of Berlin, New Hampshire, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, where he also trained under Dr. Batson. Rayner previously worked as a botanist and inventory coordinator for the Heritage Trust Program of the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department and serves on the board of trustees for the South Carolina Nature Conservancy. Rayner lives in Spartanburg.
