Customer Reviews

Tropica: Color cyclopedia of exotic plants and trees for warm-region horticulture--in cool climate the summer garden or sheltered indoors

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Over 7,000 (895 pages) color photographs. This will be a frequent photographic reference for any gardener, horticulturist or just plain plant lover. Some text about care and propagation of tropical plants. The author apparently is/was employed by the large international horticultural firm of Roehrs Company (New Jersey, USA, and Germany) and extensively traveled the world at its expense. Roehrs is also the book publisher. Many exotic plant photographs from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Contains scientific and common names and plant descriptions.

Generally, I am sceptical about large reference books authored by a single person but, is there a viable alternative to using this tome? If, like me , you have discovered the parallel universe of tropical plants and can barely contain your enthusiasm and appetite for more information, then maybe this book will satiate those cravings for a good length of time. This is definitely one of THE great reference guides for lazy (i.e. not so academic) garden designers!

I own the 5th edition. I glanced through a few pages (after having spent hours on the Internet researching tropical plants for my personal tropical garden) and had to buy it right then and there! I did not want to chance not being able to find it again. It's the best! I can't foresee ever having to wonder what any other tropical plant looks like! I've found plants in this book that I could not identify on the web or through local nurseries. I was not able to put this book down for hours after it's purchase and continue to use it almost daily. Totally worth the $185 price! If I'd lost it on the way home from having just purchased it, I'd be right back trying to buy another!

This book is the ultimate,before software,computers and Wal-Mart salespersons... .a book of this magnitude was and is still the Bible of horticulture.Alfred Graf,travels the world to bring the reader an astounding volume of plants both rare and usual,not only color photos but origins as well,which happens to be the best indicator of how a plant will thrive.I've owned this book for over twenty years,even replacing it after it was stolen.What else can I say...oh yeah,...Chrisalidocarpus Lutescens.

I recently got the chance to look over a copy of this book , and although I didn't get a chance to read it extensively nor in depth, I got the feeling that this was and is, one book , that no plant loving individuals library, should be with out. It is with out a doubt , a must have if you can get your hands on a copy.

This illustrated compendium of the flora of the world's tropical zones has no comparison. It is a monument to methodology, and as complete as any encyclopedia on the subject, perhaps more so. Invaluable as a research resource.

Beautifully done book with hugh number of plants with a color photos and descriptions

the best botanical book for tropical species

Hello! This cyclopedia is great but I am disappointed with the purchase, the book has broken the binding, this should not happen when you acquire a new copy, insead of a used one....

On a recent visit to Culebra, PR, I came upon this wonderful reference work when a local landscaper pulled it off the front seat of his truck to show a dear friend of mine visuals on some of the plant material he planned for her garden. I spent just 20 minutes with the book and ordered it immediately upon my arrival home. I live now (and grew up in) South Florida, and I keep this wonderful volume in the living room for quick reference or simple browsing. Highly recommended!