A copiously illustrated guide to the genus Fumaria. The photographs include fresh (and often aging) flowers in profile, and enlarged macrophotographs of lower petals, sepals and fruit.

There are two keys: Key A to species and subspecies; Key B is more detailed and includes varieties and forms. As usual the keys use minute floral parts and ripe fruits.

It’s probably just me but I find synthetic bright blue backgrounds on botanical photos intrusive. I know it’s supposed to enhance the reader’s receptivity, but surely not if it puts their backs up. Coloured backgrounds also confuse your colour perception so are doubly inappropriate in botanical illustrations.

My other pet hate is interpretation boards on nature reserves. Such creeping suburbanisation spoils the wild experience that you expect from such places. Surely this isn’t just me? We need to speak out… We’ve stayed quiet for too long!