Species are divided into four groups: plants with spores; plants with cones; plants usually broad-leaved with flowers - dicotyledons; plants with strap-shaped leaves, with flowers - monocotyledons. Each plant receives a general introduction, and is then described in detail; the usefulness or toxicity of the plant is also addressed, and derivation of botanical names is given.

Plants are listed by both botanical and common names, and indexes enable easy searching, but there is also a section which helps you to identify a plant from information about flower colour and size, the kind of plant it is and where it occurs. The text has been updated to accommodate changes to the legislation governing pest plants.

This title is available to purchase from Manaaki Whenua Press for NZ $59.99 (+ shipping).

• Comprehensive coverage of common weeds
• Approx. 1,500 excellent colour photographs illustrating over 600 species
• Easy-to-follow format

Trevor James is an experienced weed scientist and photographer whose skills are evident in this book.

Ian Popay is an experienced botanist whose lifetime interest in these particular species goes back to him school days.