In 1975 Roger Phillips began his life’s major work of photographing and publishing pictures of the World’s garden plants. Using modern photographic techniques, Roger set out to develop an encyclopedic collection of books to show the difference between plants as diverse as mosses, roses and annuals. His first book Wild Flowers of Britain was a huge success, selling 400,000 copies in the first year. He has since written 20 additional volumes (often with his co-author Martyn Rix) selling over 4.5million copies worldwide. Roger Phillips, who has died aged 88, was a self-taught plantsman and portrait photographer of plants, the author or co-author of numerous beautifully illustrated books, including guides to wild flowers and edible wild plants, roses and other garden flowers, fungi, and even fish. His entry on the Death Cap, “the most deadly fungus known”, included the alarming information that, if ingested, an initial period of prolonged and violent vomiting and diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain is typically “followed by an apparent recovery, when the victim may ... think his ordeal over. Within a few days death results from kidney and liver failure.”

Mushrooms by Phillips, Roger - AbeBooks 9780330442374 - Mushrooms by Phillips, Roger - AbeBooks

Roger Phillips has written the best mushroom book I know.' - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, author of River Cottage Veg Every Day! Meanwhile, years of voluntary work in the communal garden in Eccleston Square, Pimlico, where he lived, led in 1980 to Phillips being asked to take on its management. Under his stewardship the garden, now part of the National Gardens Scheme, was transformed into a plantsman’s paradise, containing the National Collection of Ceanothus, in addition to some 200 different climbing roses and 120 different Camellias.Roger has written and presented two major six-part TV series on gardening (BBC & Channel 4). Famed for his ebullient personality and garish red glasses, he has become a well-recognised figure in the world of gardening. The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our

Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America: Phillips, Roger Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America: Phillips, Roger

In 1970 he met the book designer David Larkin, for whom he did numerous book covers. It was Larkin who signed him up to publish his Wild Flowers of Britain (1977) with Pan/Macmillan. There is I think most of the mushrooms you will find in Ireland listed in this book, with very clear descriptions of what to look for. They are well categorised and the key is as detailed as you would hope for. There are also colour photos of every mushroom along with the description, which makes identification more intuitive. Also, Roger Phillips was a contributor and co-author of many scientific and recreational articles. His entitled works, such as “ Fungi will have a role in ridding the world of plastic” and “ How to cut grocery bills and eat healthy.” Also, you can read his book about Mushrooms and all their types. It contains over 1250 photographs of mushrooms and fungi, often showing the specimens in various stages of growth, including all the latest botanical and common names and current ecological information on endangered species.

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Phillips warned against using his guide – or any other – as the sole authority on edible fungi, advising that novices should always have experts identify their finds. Definitely one of the largest pictorial collection of UK native fungi and a must own for anyone interested in fungi. Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any).