Resources for plant identification?

Roz is looking for resources with photos to help identify plants. With the caveat that photos alone can be misleading, let's give her a hand!

The American Horticultural Society has several flagship publications which are packed with photos and plants. For example, the A-Z Encyclopedia includes 15,000 plants. However, looking alphabetically for an unknown plant by picture is tedious to say the least. There is a 1989 AHS book simply titled Encyclopedia of Plants that is organized categorically and much more suited to the task. The latest version of the text is organized alphabetically, so be careful.

What do the rest of you mulcher's recommend for Roz?

Honestly, the easiest way to ID a plant is by showing it to others!! Take a cutting into a local nursery and ask around! (or post a photo here!)

There are a few encyclopedia and plant books out there that help break down a plant according to the flower parts and leaf shape. Taking it to a reputable nursery is a good start though. Being on the other side of the desk when people come in with samples, we usually have two or three people with a wide enough knowlege base to get at least a family group for it. I'm a researcher at heart and love to do the investigative work to find out what it is. Good photos are important online though. Close up of the flowers, leaves and a distant shot with a reference point is useful.