Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms

Description

The Encyclopaedia of Cultivated Palms is the definitive account of all palms that can be grown for ornamental and economic use. Palms are often underutilized as a result of their unfamiliarity-even to tropical gardeners. To help introduce these valuable plants to a new audience, the authors have exhaustively documented every genus in the palm family. 825 species are described in detail, including cold hardiness, water needs, height, and any special requirements. Generously illustrated with more than 900 photos, including photos of several palm species that have never before appeared in a general encyclopaedia, The Encyclopaedia of Cultivated Palms is as valuable as an identification guide as it is a practical handbook. Interesting snippets of history, ethnobotany, and biology inform the text and make this a lively catalog of these remarkable plants.

Robert Lee Riffle (1940--2006) was an internationally recognized authority on palms and tropical plants. Paul Craft is a self-employed horticultural consultant for private and public botanical gardens, nurseries, homeowners, and businesses around the world. Scott Zona is the author of nearly 100 articles on palms. He teaches and lectures all over the world about tropical plants.

"Gallery of full-color plates illustrates precise species characteristics, while the book's second half offers descriptive text organized by alphabetized genus and species." --Library Journal "Recommended for most large public and academic libraries, especially where there is an interest in horticulture." --Booklist "An exciting way for plant lovers entranced by palms to learn about the range of species grown in gardens." --The Sarasota Herald-Tribune