The coastal beaches are some of the most outstanding features of the vast northern Great Lakes region. Many of the plants grow nowhere else, and a number of protected plants are found along the beaches. Because the beaches and coastal areas are delicate ecosystems, maintaining plant diversity is paramount and the beaches need to be protected to keep the fragile plants intact. Seventy-five of the most common plants found on the U.S. and Canadian shores of the Great Lakes are described simple, yet authoritatively, and illustrated with photographs and line drawings. Distribution maps are included. This is a must have for naturalists, botanists, and travelers alike.