Brambles of Scotland. An Illustrated Field Handbook.2025.( BSBI Handbook,25). illus.(col.). 220 p. Paper bd.

Here, for the first time, is a comprehensive illustrated account of the brambles of Scotland. Each of the 56 known resident species is described in detail opposite a page of photographs of its main distinctive features. The text draws attention to possibly confusable species, and tells how to distinguish them. Each account includes a map of Scottish distribution so far as it is known, showing what is most likely to grow in one’s area.

In Scotland the number of species in any locality is modest. With a little experience and some guidance from the referee, this book should enable any competent botanist to record the frequent species of their district and to notice anything unusual.

The introductory pages cover such topics as reproduction, distribution and modes of dispersal as well as the history of bramble recording in Scotland. Characters used in identification are described and illustrated in detail and two keys are given. A glossary and bibliography are provided. Notes on 30 rare or doubtful, mostly adventive species are included in an appendix.