Pteron,
Your right there. An awful lot if not most try to get away with simple diagrams of plants.
I heard from several people that they do not find Ray a brilliant writer. I couldn't comment on that as I have only seen one of his books: "Bushcraft". What I've seen of that book didnt make me want to buy it. (considering the fact that there is a difference between bushcraft and survival).

I am still looking for a pocket guide for edible plants etc, bushes, trees, roots for N Europe enviroment.
Any recommendations?