There is no easy way to identify grasses. And no one understands this better than H.D. Harrington, who observed thousands of students struggle and learn. His clear, concise, and well-organized guide will continue to be a basic and essential text for use in the classroom or in the field. The book contains over 500 drawings and an illustrated glossary.

Harold David (H. D.) Harrington (1903–1981) was a professor of botany and curator of the Colorado State University Herbarium for twenty-five years beginning in 1943. Many of his books are still regarded as the definitive sources for their subjects.