An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand, 3rd edn

An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand, 3rd edn by Ian Popay, Paul Champion and Trevor James. Christchurch, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, 2010. Paperback, 170 × 244 mm. 416 p. ISBN 978-0-473-16285-6. Price NZ$55.00.

There is no doubt about it: we are a weedy lot. Our New Zealand landscapes are weed-infested and our activities weed-affected. Weeds depress our profits and harm our native biodiversity. We take for granted that our farms, orchards, nurseries, lawns, sports fields and roadside verges cannot be satisfactorily maintained without some form of weed management. But weeds may also be a significant problem in those areas and landscapes we still prefer to refer to as ‘natural’ and pristine – our native forests, shrublands, wetlands and alpine meadows.

Given their pervasive and perverse nature, it comes as little surprise that many New Zealanders have a commitment to managing weeds – and consequently an interest in identifying and learning about them. I count myself in this number, but I must also confess to having a sneaking admiration for many of the showier species. I refer here to the daisies, peas and the like which adorn our banks and byways in glorious profusion, especially in spring and summer. I'm sure I don't stand alone here. I suspect too that one of this book's authors, Trevor James, is another likely weedophile. Trevor James has taken many of the photographs for this book and as a fellow plant photographer I know that you don't take photographs of this standard without having a deep affinity for the subject in frame. To us, our lives would be all the poorer without these spontaneous seasonal outbursts of colour. It comes as no surprise to learn that many of our weeds have originated from attractive garden plants that have jumped the fence.

If any of the above has struck a chord in you, then don't feel obliged to read further: this book is for you, go and purchase one now.

The third edition of An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand is the new, improved, expanded and updated version of a book that was first published in 1998 with a revised edition in 2004. The three authors (Ian Popay, Paul Champion and Trevor James) are well qualified and experienced; each with an extensive career in weed management and ecology.

The Introduction section notes that the book has been targeted at a wide readership and a scan through its pages soon provides plenty of evidence that the book format and layout have been carefully crafted in order to make the information readily accessible to the non-expert. For example:

1. The page size (170 × 245 mm) is large enough to support attractive photographs, but small enough to allow the book to be carried in a backpack or tucked away in the back of the car.

2. The plant descriptions are brief, clear, accurate and minimize the use of technical jargon.

3. The four-page glossary defines the technical terms that inevitably are necessary from time to time.

4. The photos are excellent, clearly show differences between similar species and are closely aligned with the text in order to avoid reader frustration.

5. The page layout is attractive and pleasant to browse.

6. The index includes both taxonomic and common names of species

7. The section ‘A Guide to Flower Colour and Size’ guides the non-expert user to a broad identification using a plant's flower size and colour.

Packed within the book's 416 pages are descriptions and photographs giving detailed coverage of ~ 380 weedy species – plus briefer descriptions and photos of many more allied species that are not considered common (or perhaps nuisance) enough to merit an entry of their own. The only groups not fully covered are the grasses, sedges and rushes, although there are four pages of informative text and photos describing some of the very common weedy species.

The plants are arranged in four sections: spore-bearing plants (ferns and allies), cone-bearing plants (conifers) and two groups of flowering plants (dicotyledons and monocotyledons). Within each section, the plants are grouped alphabetically according to family, genus and species. The botanical nomenclature reflects current research findings.

Each description supplies a detailed plant profile that includes:

1. Botanical and common names, with synonyms where appropriate.

2. Plant form.

3. Flowers, leaves, fruits, stems and roots.

4. Habitat and distribution.

5. Derivation of botanical name.

6. Related or similar species and how to distinguish these.

7. General comments such as poisonous and medicinal properties, palatability to stock and pest plant status.

This is an attractive, user-friendly book, packed with interest and information. Landcare estimates that there are ~ 2100 plant species that are now naturalized throughout New Zealand and of these, ~ 500 species are harmful and therefore weedy. Most of these weeds will be found profiled in An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand. It is highly recommended.

ROB LUCAS

Lecturer in Horticulture (retired)

Open Polytechnic of New Zealand