From arid coastal plains to chilly cloud forests, Hawai'i is home to an astonishing range of flora. Many of our plant species, like the regal koa and hardy silversword, can be found nowhere else in the world!
Knowing how to identify these plants, and learning their historical uses and associated legends will greatly enrich your hiking experience. In A Hiker's Guide to Trailside Plants, author John B. Hall introduces you to many of the plants - both native and non-native - that you are likely to encounter on Hawai'i's trails.
For easy reference, plants in this handy book have been divided into the following climatic zones: Coastal, Dry Forest, Mesic Forest, Wet Forest, and Alpine. Each color-coded zone is further subdivided into Herbs, Shrubs, Trees, Vines, Ferns, and Miscellaneous. Along the way, the author points out notable features - leaf shape, flower color, and even taste - that will help you identify each plant.
