The Encyclopaedia of Indoor Plants
 on CD-ROM

In terms of information available to gardeners, indoor plants have always been the poor relation. Information has often been sketchy and tacked on as an afterthought to more general gardening texts. Those books that do exist are often high on pictures and low on the nuts and bolts information that you really need to know about the plants’ requirements and care.

The Encyclopaedia of Indoor Plants has been developed in Florida over the past 7 years. Originally the brain-child of Douglas St. Clair, an avid horticulturist, the encyclopaedia received a boost in 2000 when Dr Derek G Burch joined as Consulting Editor. Dr Burch has a Masters degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Wales and a Ph.D. in Systematic Botany/Statistics from the University of Florida. His credentials include working in leading positions at the Montreal Botanic Garden, Missouri Botanic Garden, and as Director of the University of South Florida Botanical Garden. He has also held the positions of Assistant/Associate Professor, University of South Florida and Washington University, St. Louis. He has also had extensive tropical field experience in South America. 
The depth of knowledge that comes from this kind of experience is obvious in the CD-ROM. The information is the most comprehensive and useful that I have seen on indoor plants.

The Encyclopaedia of Indoor Plants provides information on the care of over 1,300 species of House and Greenhouse Plants. You can search by either plant name (using either botanical or common names) or by plant type (eg Orchids, Herbs, Bamboo, Palms, etc)

The information is displayed in 18 categories – Plant Type, Environment, Description, Origin, Foliage (this refers to whether or not the plant has coloured foliage), Flowering, Fragrant, Growing Ease, Temperature, Humidity, Lighting Needs, Soil, Watering, Fertiliser, Pests, Propagation, Care & Tips and Toxicity. The information is clear, comprehensive and useful.

The CD-ROM is uncomplicated and easy-to-use with the emphasis on excellent content rather than the bells and whistles. Good photographs assist with identification and plant choice. This is a great resource. It would make a really neat house-warming present for just about anyone!