AuthorRich, T.C.G.
Year1991
TitleCrucifers of Great Britain and Ireland
ISBN0 901158 20 8
SeriesBSBI Handbooks
TypeBook/Report
How CompleteAll the British species known at the time, and aliens with more than 5 records beween 1950 and the time of writing.
SourceBSBI Handbooks, No 6, 336pp, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI)
IllustrationsLine drawings facing the species descriptions, plus a few more interspersed in text and keys.
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

After a brief introduction, the identification section starts with a detailed review of the characters used, including useful hints on counting ovules. This is followed by the Key to Groups, then the individual Group Keys to genera. All the keys are of the indented form.

Each genus entry begins with a discussion on identification and including hints on when the requisite features are likely to be developed. This is followed by the key to species.

The final Keys are described as synoptic, but they are really just a condensed form of indented key. They don’t require ripe fruit, so are less reliable than the main keys.

A list of rare characters provides a short cut to identifying distinctive species.

The major portion of the book consists of detailed species accounts facing line-drawings of the plant, leaf/leaves, flower, fruit, seeds etc.

10km distribution maps are presented two to a page, but these are now superseded by the later BSBI Atlas.

Examine with x8 or x10 hand lens ( with x15 or x20 hand lens is also useful)
Specimen PreparationFresh or pressed, but ideally with ripe fruits.
Identification difficultySome quite difficult. Several genera of Brassicaceae are challenging and for these ripe fruits are a must.

Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationCurrentBRASSICACEAEcabbages, cresses etc.Plantae: Brassicales
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