B. A. Auld

I have to confess here that one of the authors is a long term friend from University days so it is difficult to be totally objective. But Bruce, as I think I have said to you, I think this is an outstanding work. It is basically an identification guide to weed species in Australia and to describe the characteristics of the various weeds and it does both jobs exceedingly well.
One of the problems in trying to develop a book such as this is that without a comprehensive botanical key it is difficult or impossible to identify a specimen accurately. However, the authors have skirted around that problem fairly neatly by providing a very basic photographic key to the major plant groupings. Obviously this is less than perfect but a botanical key requires some expertise to use and their key seems to get close enough to identify a species in the hand by comparing with the photographs and the descriptions.
It's written in a nice informal manner and is full of interesting information...such as ......might be implicated in hay fever....or causes taint in milk. Unfortunately, it is now out of print and, although I suggested to Bruce that it should be re-published he was reluctant to get too involved. Also, I have noticed that there is now another book, with more modern photographs out ......."Weeds of the South East" by Fiona Richardson et al.....so I guess the current book will not be updated. Anyway, I and another old Agricultural Science colleague, Ken M, both think the current book...if not a masterpiece.....is something approaching it. Ok I have not read every word ..nor am I likely to with this sort of book but it is a fantastic reference, easy to use and authoritative. Happy to give it five stars.… (meer)