This volume investigates the systematic classification and morphological characteristics of the Dicotyledons within the broader framework of angiosperm evolution. John Hutchinson, a renowned botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, utilizes his extensive field research and herbarium studies to propose a phylogenetic arrangement of flowering plants. The text serves as a technical reference, providing detailed descriptions and diagnostic keys for the identification of various plant genera.

Botanists and researchers frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for understanding the classification of flowering plants. Experts note the high level of technical density and the rigorous morphological detail provided throughout the volume.