A Photographic Guide to Ferns of New Zealand, is a compact yet comprehensive guide to identifying and learning about New Zealand's ferns. Ferns occur in great abundance in New Zealand - there are nearly 200 native species alone occurring everywhere from the coast through to the country's alpine regions. Then there are the fern allies - including clubmosses and forkferns that have an even longer fossil history than ferns. However, most of the ferns and fern allies described in A Photographic Guide to Ferns of New Zealand are the commoner species that are more likely to be seen when journeying around the New Zealand countryside. For ease of reference the common names are highlighted in the text although all species described are listed according to their scientific names so that their affinities with related species may be seen more easily.

Lawrie Metcalf was one of New Zealand's leading horticulturists and specialised in native plants. A former assistant director of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and director of parks and recreation for the Invercargill City Council, he was the International Registrar for cultivars of the genus Hebe. His many national and international honours include the Royal Horticultural Society's Gold Veitch Memorial Medal. He wrote 11 books