An introduction to the botanical richness of one of southern California s major waterways The Santa Ana River is the largest watercourse in the heavily populated coastal plain of southern California. Despite the encroachment of urban development, however, the river and its environs are home to over eight hundred plant species. In this seminal guide to the flora of the Santa Ana River, Oscar F. Clarke and his team have compiled descriptions of three hundred species, accompanied by 3,200 images and illustrations. The book also serves as an introduction to basic botanical concepts, applying phylogenetics the study of evolutionary relationships between species to taxonomic structure. Surprising connections emerge with an understanding of the relationships between these plants, as well as between the trees, flowers, and other types of flora in all regions of the world. The culmination of a lifetime of botanical study, this guide is a must-have for anyone interested in learning more about...