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Rating: 
Summary: A Garden Docent's View:
Review: It's not necessary to be a horticulturist to add this beautiful book to your library. You're not even required to live in the tropics! I am a Docent at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and our Conservatory includes many of these interesting plants. As visitors walk through, I am now able to provide much more information, thanks to this book. Particularly helpful to non-horticulturists are the many notations throughout this book as to edible, medicinal, and native uses of plants. All conservatories are dedicated to preservation, and Dr Llamas' book allows me to tie in history and practicality to emphasize how vital this is. The crisp and detailed photographs provide clear identification for those of us who don't have formal botanical training. This book will enrich anyone who has an interest in gardening, conservation and the environment. Added to that rich mix is the superb photography. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, but not for everyone.
Review: Llamas' book is attractive and up-to-date with the oft-changing taxonomic nomenclature. However two things limit its usefulness to the average reader. First, the decision to organize plants by family, rather than genus, makes it impossible for most to locate plants without resort to the index. For example, the overwhelming majority of people know that Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the common tropical hibiscus, belongs in the genus Hibiscus and would expect to find it listed there. On the other hand, very few people know that the genus Hibiscus is contained in the family Malvaceae- where Llamas has listed it. Likewise, everyone know the lemon belong to the genus Citrus, while few people know - or care- that the Lemon is in the family Rutaceae. For the serious hobbyist this organization by family may be rationale and even helpful. But for most others, it simply adds time to locating the information desired. The books second drawback is the relative dearth of cultural information. In other words, the book may help you put a name to the odd plant, but it's not likely to help you grow it. If you consider yourself an arm-chair botanist, than this book is for you. For more practical advice or coffee-table reading, I'd look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: the best research source for tropical flowering plants
Review: There is no other comparable reference source for Tropical Flowering Plants in print known to me. The photographs are first quality. The information for each plant is very comprehensive, concise and is easy to understand.
This is the first attempt to classify plants based upon their DNA. Although plants were previously classified based upon then known acceptable principles, the methods used were not as exact as what Ms. LLamas has done. We now have a better more reliable method of classifying plants.
The number of photographs in this work is remarkable,and is a tremendous aid for identifying our tropical flowering plants and trees. I am a grower of Tropical Flowering Plants and I am constantly refering to this text.
Rating:
Summary: the best research source for tropical flowering plants
Review: There is no other comparable reference source for Tropical Flowering Plants in print known to me. The photographs are first quality. The information for each plant is very comprehensive, concise and is easy to understand.
This is the first attempt to classify plants based upon their DNA. Although plants were previously classified based upon then known acceptable principles, the methods used were not as exact as what Ms. LLamas has done. We now have a better more reliable method of classifying plants.
The number of photographs in this work is remarkable,and is a tremendous aid for identifying our tropical flowering plants and trees. I am a grower of Tropical Flowering Plants and I am constantly refering to this text.
Rating: 
Summary: OK: Superior rendition of a dime-a-dozen format
Review: This is a beautifully printed book, in the lavish style that has become the mark of the Timber Press. The general impression is that this is a superior work of its kind, and likely this book will be a big hit with somebody looking for an all-inclusive encyclopedia with very brief entries on tropical gardening plants. The pictures appear to be of a very good quality, although it is hard to be sure given their small size (The pictures are big enough to escape being itty-bitty sized, but not by much).
Rating:
Summary: Best Overall Guide to Tropical Plants
Review: You'll appreciate the fine photography in this well researched book. Up to date plant classifications backed by the worlds leading experts puts this book in a class by itself.
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