Book Review
Tony King reviews "Palms & Cycads Beyond
the Tropics" by Keith Boyer.
Tony King
Chamaerops No. 8, published online 23-10-2002
[an error occurred while processing the directive]
It is with some relief that I am able to review
this book, as for a time it looked as though nobody was prepared
to take the plunge and publish it, the first publisher having pulled
out. That would have been a great loss, for this long awaited volume
fills a niche that has long existed in the palm enthusiast's library,
and fills it very well.
It is softcover, 150 pages 24cm by 18cm, illustrated
mainly with colour photographs of the plants both in habitat and
in cultivation. Many of these photographs are excellent. Subtitled,
"A Guide to Growing Cold Hardy Species" the various chapters
cover the introduction and cultivation of palms and cycads, pests
and diseases, climates beyond (i.e. outside) the tropics, hardiness
to cold, landscaping uses, conservation, and, of course, the species
themselves, to which the bulk of the book is devoted.
In addition, appendices cover the classification
and cold tolerance of palms, based on practical recorded information
gathered from around the world, together with a chart on which one
can see at a glance those species most suited to a particular area
or climate.
The text is easy, indeed entertaining, to read,
and not bogged down with technical jargon. It is packed with useful
information, and the fact that Dr John Dransfield of Kew ran his
experienced eye over the manuscript is a recommendation in itself.
The largest chapter gives details of cold hardy/cool
growing palm and cycad species arranged in alphabetical order of
genera from Acoelorraphe to Zamia. Each genus is given a general
introduction followed by descriptions of the individual species
within that genus, ending with cultivation/seed germination tips
along with an indication of the minimum temperatures the species
have been recorded as withstanding.
The coverage at both genus and species level is
surprisingly broad. To give an example, my favourite cycad genus,
Dioon, merits information on no less than 9 species! It seems that
nothing is left out, and there are no disappointing omissions.
A couple of typographical errors have crept us:
the 'contents' mentions pages 151 & 152 which don't in fact
exist, and the TZC is referred to in the appendix covering palm
& cycad societies. Many readers will know that this no longer
exists, and indeed its demise was a catalyst in the formation of
the EPS (which gets a prominent mention!) two years ago. But these
are significant points, compared to the wealth of information within
the book's covers.
I must confess that prior to publication, I wondered
if the book would live up to the high expectations I had of it.
I'm very glad to report that it exceeds them, and I would without
any hesitation recommend it to anyone interested in growing palms
and cycads in a temperate climate. Indeed, if you haven't decided
what to buy yourself for Christmas, look no further as this would
surely make the ideal present.
If you have difficulty obtaining a copy, "Palms
& Cycads Beyond the Tropics" is available from the Palm
Centre, price £14.50 plus 50p post & packing (£1
rest of Europe).
Readers Comments:
(No comments yet. Be the first to add a comment to
this article!)
|
 |
[an error occurred while processing the directive]
|
