Plant identification book?

I'm looking for a book geared towards identifying unknown plants, rather than finding good plants for landscape use. One that would do a good job of describing the identifying characteristics and is organized so that you can look up plants that way, not just an alphabetical list Do such a book exist that would cover plants from our region?

Thanks!
Dennis

Dennis, I have a book called Plants For Texas by Howard Garrett. He lists about 500 plants that do well in the state, but they are listed in scientific name, alphabetically. He writes about a paragraph on each plant; ht, width, location, propagation, culture, problems and sometimes something interesting like...did you know the Jatropha is poisonous and it's used for poisonous darts in South America. That is good to know lol
Oh, and he has a little picture of the flower or leaves. I like this book, it's come in handy for me.

Dennis:
I live and breath by Know it and grow it by Dr Carl Whittcomb. He was the department head of horticulture at Oklahoma state university. He now runs his own company lacebark. Lacebark sells all of his inventions form clothbags that make digging fieldgrown trees less stressfull to his patiented crape myrtles. I love the book but its pricey. The book uses 1 pages on details for identification and 1 or more for pics. I think its a must have because it covers all trees s in the usa.
Dave

I have the Garrett book and it's great. Wouldn't do without it. I also have the Audobon guide to wildflowers, which has been very helpful. Southern Herb Growing is also a good one.

Dennis~Howard Garrett has a book titled "Plants for the Metroplex" that might be helpful.

Thanks for the great suggestions! In looking up these books, I also ran across several books by Michael Dirr. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!
Dennis

dennis: if its the same dirr I am thinking on, he is an expert inpropigation and plants in general. Iusually try to get a book or two each year and his are on my list. I like to look at amazone's slightly used books to get a better price.
Please let me know how the book is if you buy the dirr book.
Thanks Dave

I'm still thinking about getting the Dirr book, but I hate spending that much for a book I haven't seen yet. I've been checking all the local book stores, but haven't seen it yet....

Dennis

Dennis:
I like to use amazone to look at books. alot of the time they have covers index and a few random pages to look at online.
dave