An annotated checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Chicago Region with keys, this book contains notes on local distribution, ecology and taxonomy; a system for the qualitative evaluation of plant communities; a natural divisions' map; and a description of natural plant communities. This comprehensive and detailed treatment employs the revolutionary Coefficient of Conservatism (C values) and Floristic Quality Assessment methodology.

"The Swink and Wilhelm tome is one of the very few where I know it will pay to check every species against my [Michigan Flora] manuscript."—Edward Voss