Field Guide to the Grasses of Oregon and Washington

Field Guide to the Grasses of Oregon and Washington is the work of five authors over a period of 15 years, but it will likely remain a standard for a much longer period. Covering the whole of both states, this guide presents 343 of our species (out of some 10,000 worldwide), including invasive species, naturalized ornamentals, and even some agricultural crops that show up as “waifs” along roadsides. All are in the plant family Poaceae. Excluded are sedges, rushes, or any of the numerous plants that have “grass” in their common name – such as beargrass or eelgrass – found in other families. Also omitted are bamboos; while some have established locally, none are known to sexually reproduce in our climate.

The keys are a daunting 75 pages long, but the authors provide helpful descriptions by genus throughout, along with some diagrams of closely-allied species. The encyclopedic bulk of the book includes detailed descriptions, range maps, and – the best feature – especially intricate photographs showing many close-ups parts for each species.

While written for an expert, the introduction addresses the needs of the beginner, too, with helpful hints on getting started and not being discouraged. Clearly, the authors love their subjects. “We hope you come to enjoy grasses as much as we do. Besides their ecological and economic importance, grasses themselves are fascinating.”

Published in the December 2019 Leaflet for Scholars, Volume 6 Issue 12.