Additional Plant Identification Resources
Flowering Plants of New Mexico by Robert DeWitt Ivey
This is, without a doubt, one of the most consulted references in the state for people interested in this state’s native plants. The first edition appeared in 1983. Over the next 25 years, four more editions appeared, culminating with the 5th edition in 2008. When DeWitt was 85, he told me that the 5th would be his last and wanted all proceeds from the sale of his book to go to his wife, Vivian. He recognized the significance of his artistic abilities and scientific accuracy to both botanists and, more importantly, to those not interested in the intricacies of botanical science. He felt that it was important to keep his work alive. We discussed the possibility of producing the book digitally.
My wife, Betty, and I finished converting his book into digital format. The latest edition of Flowering Plants of New Mexico is available at Lulu.com for $36.00. When an order is placed, Lulu will print the book within two or three days and then ship it via FedEx, which usually takes about five days.
–Gene Jercinovic
Wildflowers of the Northern and Central Mountains of New Mexico by Larry J. Littlefield and Pearl M. Burns. 2015.
A field guide for the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia and Manzano Mountains with full color photographs, plant descriptions, and bloom times. Plants are arranged by flower color. Available from, https://www.unmpress.com/9780826355478/wildflowers-of-the-northern-and-central-mountains-of-new-mexico/
A Guide to Plants of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert by Carolyn Dodson. 2012.
This book offers descriptions of seventy-five representative species of northern Chihuahuan Desert plants. Each illustrated profile includes the plant's common and Latin name and a brief description, as well as its role in human history, its relationship to the surrounding flora and fauna, medicinal uses, nutritional value, habitat, toxicity, and other interesting facts. Available from, https://www.unmpress.com/9780826350213/a-guide-to-plants-of-the-northern-chihuahuan-desert/
Mountain Wildflowers of the Southern Rockies by Carolyn Dodson and William W. Dunmire. 2007.
This book offers cultural and botanical essays that present useful and fascinating facts about seventy-five species of wildflowers, including strategies for survival, plant evolution, origins of common and scientific plant names, family characteristics, and their roles in human history.
Available from https://www.unmpress.com/9780826342447/mountain-wildflowers-of-the-southern-rockies/
Books with Taxonomic Keys
Flora Neomexicana by Kelly W. Allred, Eugene M. Jercinovic, and collaborators
This four-volume set includes detailed taxonomic keys for identification, range maps, and illustrations by Robert DeWitt Ivey. Available from https://floraneomexicana.org/flora-neomexicana-series/
Vascular Plants of New Mexico by Kenneth Heil and Steve L. O’Kane Jr. 2024.
Contains taxonomic keys, plant descriptions, plant community types, elevation ranges, and general plant distributions, along with endemic and/or threatened status, of more than 4,000 known vascular plants in New Mexico. Plates with color photos and oil paintings. Available from https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/V/bo237308748.html
