An Urban Field Guide to Plants, Trees, & Herbs in Your Path

An Urban Field Guide to Plants, Trees, & Herbs in Your Path is a welcoming introduction to the plants you encounter every day—on sidewalks, along fences, in vacant lots, and tucked into neighborhood corners.

Published by Microcosm Publishing, this practical field guide invites readers to get to know their leafy neighbors as if walking alongside a knowledgeable friend. Inside, you’ll find 58 common plants, trees, weeds, and herbs found in cities across the United States, each illustrated with accurate, charming line drawings and paired with clear, accessible botanical information to help with identification throughout the seasons.

Beyond identification, the book explores each plant’s story—its relatives, origins, historical uses, and intriguing facts—encouraging curiosity and deeper observation. By learning the names and lives of the plants around you, everyday walks become richer, and your sense of place grows stronger.

A thoughtful read for urban gardeners, foragers, educators, nature lovers, and anyone curious about the resilient plant life thriving right outside their door.