Wales has a rich and varied flora of about 1200 native and anciently-introduced flowering plants, conifers and ferns. Amongst these are many special plants from arctic-alpine relics of the last Ice Age to recently evolved species and medicinal herbs. They range from short-lived annual grasses to long-lived trees and vary ecologically from those growing on the seashores to those on the tops of mountains. Some are widespread around the world and some are endemics only found in Wales. The aim of this book is to celebrate 101 of our rarer Welsh plants, to summarise what is currently known about them and to raise their profile in the national consciousness.

Lauren studied Ecology at Cardiff University alongside working in scientific engagement at Amgueddfa Cymru. She now works as a Biology teacher in Gloucestershire, where she continues to enjoy walking in the countryside and appreciating British flora and fauna. Dr Tim Rich trained as an ecologist at Lancaster University and specialised in botany. He ran the Welsh National Herbarium for 17 years and is a national expert with particular interest in whitebeams and hawkweeds. He is currently working in applied ecology.