Genus Roscoea, The

(Hardback, UK ed.)

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Roscoeas, native to the Himalayas, Burma and China, are striking orchid-like hardy gingers and one of the outstanding gems of the plant world. Written with passion and enthusiasm, this is an accessible and comprehensive book, whether you are a gardener, grower or botanist. All twenty known species are described in detail - their structure, form, nomenclature, history, synonyms, habitat and distribution, and many of the various colour forms are illustrated for the first time. Additional chapters cover the history of Roscoea, their morphology, ecology and conservation.The hands-on aspect of cultivation in the garden is dealt with by Richard Wilford, Kew's Alpines and Herbaceous Collection Manager, and Roland Bream, keeper of the national Roscoea collection in the UK, gives an up-to-date account of the species, cultivars and hybrids in cultivation.The author has included a biography of William Roscoe, the man who gave his name to the genus, and has augmented the text with an extensive bibliography. Twenty exquisite full page paintings, 17 by the esteemed artist Christabel King, 29 maps and 94 colour photographs illustrate the text. This is another superb "Kew Botanical Magazine Monograph" for gardeners, nurserymen, botanists and lovers of botanical art.