Chasing the Ghost: My Search for all the Wild Flowers of Britain

In Chasing the Ghost, Peter Marren, a renowned naturalist, embarks on a quest to discover every species of wild plant native to Britain. Despite the challenges posed by the elusive Ghost Orchid, he sets out to find the remaining fifty species in a single summer. The book combines his botanical knowledge with personal anecdotes, showcasing the beauty and diversity of British wildflowers.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 14 March 2019
\n Publisher: Vintage Publishing
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Renowned naturalist Peter Marren embarks on an exhilarating expedition to discover every species of wild plant native to Britain. The enigmatic Ghost Orchid, known for its ghostly appearance and faint, overripe banana scent, blooms in near darkness amidst decaying leaves on the forest floor. This elusive flower, sought after by flower enthusiasts, has been sighted only once in the past twenty-five years. Despite its daunting challenges, Peter has dedicated his life to finding wildflowers. With 1,400 species already under his belt, he sets his sights on the remaining fifty in a single summer. However, fate intervenes with the wettest summer in years, adding to the difficulty of his quest.

This captivating and heartfelt journey spans the length and breadth of the British Isles, from the ancient woods of the New Forest to the rugged cliffs of Sutherland. Peter braves treacherous conditions, navigating lakes, scaling cliffs in mist and rain, and covering hundreds of miles on foot. Will he succeed in his mission? Chasing the Ghost blends botanical knowledge with personal anecdotes, serving as a reminder that to truly appreciate wildflowers, all we need to do is look around us and savor the beauty that surrounds us.

Praise for Chasing the Ghost has been pouring in. Stephen Moss, author of Dynasties, hails Peter as the unsung hero of Britain's nature writers. The Guardian describes the book as "jolly, quixotic, and ends with real poignancy."

\n Weight: 256g\n
Dimension: 131 x 198 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781784703370\n \n