A cornucopia of photography, illustrations and research dedicated to one of human history's most adaptable plant species. For centuries humans have shared a unique bond with the botanical family of plants known as palms: with their various growth patterns and diversity of physical traits, palms grow in nearly every kind of habitat on Earth, from rainforests to deserts. Palms have been used historically in landscaping, medicine, cooking, and fiber products from basketry to clothing. The Culiacan Botanical Garden, dedicated to the conservation of Mexico's biodiversity, is home to one of the country's largest palm collections with more than 140 species. This publication indexes 105 of the nursery's palms, with details about each species' conservation status, geographical distribution, and the history of how they arrived at the Botanical Garden. With expert research, full-color photography by Enrique Macias and 17 new illustrations by artist Sofía Taboas, this book is a gorgeous tribute to one of our planet's most interesting horticultural specimens.
