Chaparral Shrubs is a field guide to 132 shrub and subshrub species found in the chaparral of southern California. Each species is described and illustrated with colour photographs, and a simple key to all species, based on vegetative features, is included to aid identification. Descriptions include details of the plant's growth form, typical habitats and elevation range where found, blooming period, fire response, wildlife values, and traditional human uses. A distribution map indicates the known occurrence of each shrub in California. The guide is fully indexed, and a glossary defines the botanical terms used. The guide will be valuable for students, resource managers, fire specialists, and anyone desiring to learn more about California's diverse native flora.
Steve W. Chadde is the author of popular plant identification field guides such as Wetland and Aquatic Plants of the Upper Midwest, Wisconsin Flora, Minnesota Flora, Michigan Flora: Upper Peninsula, Northeast Ferns, and Alaska Trees and Shrubs. Following graduation from the University of Wyoming and Montana State University, he worked as a plant ecologist and botanist for organizations such as the USDA Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. His books have proven to be valuable references for researchers and students. After a decade in the Philippines, he now lives in the Ozark Mountain region of Arkansas.