This book describes about 480 species of rare vascular plants found in the province of Alberta. Species descriptions are divided into four main sections based on growth form (woody plants, broad-leaved herbs, grasslike plants, and ferns and fern allies). A general description of each plant is followed by descriptions of habitat and maps showing the distribution of most species in both Alberta and North America. Each species description is concluded with notes on synonymy, descriptions of related or similar looking plants, etymology of the scientific names and, for some species, medicinal or aboriginal uses of the plants. An illustrated glossary, a reference list, and an index conclude the book.