Tatle of Contents: 
Your Key to care of Exotic Plants == == 3 
World Map showing the Tropic Belt..............-.------ 4 
Temperature and Rainfall in the Tropic World...... 5) 
6 
Insect Enemies of your Houseplants..............---.---- 
Exotic Plants, alphabetical listing........-.....-.-.---------- 7-76 
Begonias 22.225 eee HS) 
Bromeliads ......020- 4 eee 16-21 
Ferns, photos grouped on pages......-...---------------- 28-29 
Marantaceae -..2222..5....¢2-ceetececeesegen eee 5Y 
Orchids v.40. eee ee 49-52 
Philodendrons =.) eee 56-61 
Saintpaulias 02s ee 65 
Succulents with Cacti eines 68-74 
Background and habitat pictures—. = =e ee 77-94 
Guide to plants illustrated] = eee 95-96 
Arachnis, the Spider Orchid, used as head ornament in Indonesia 
This Picture Rook js intended to acquaint all plant lovers with the large 
variety of good house plants and conservatory ornamentals in cultivation. Nearly 
1400 plants are illustrated to give a general idea of their appearance and make 
identification easier. 
Descriptions of plants are non-technical and from a layman's point of view. The 
nomenclature principally follows Bailey. Aside from the facilities available at 
the New York Botanical Garden and other American institutions, I have con- 
sulted collections and herbaria at Kew, Cairo, Singapore, Peradeniya, Bogor, 
Tokyo, Lima. Despite serious effort I realize that there will be names still subject 
to correction. Any criticism toward this end would help to make this list more 
useful all around. I gratefully acknowledge the help of scientists and collectors 
whose suggestions have prompted me to make a number of changes in this edition. 
Wherever possible, the original home of species is indicated. With tables show- 
ing temperatures and rainfall at typical locations, and a map of the tropic zone 
for reference, a plant's requirements can be more easily understood. 
A brief guide to the care of plants at home is provided by means of a key follow- 
ing the description of each species. The number at the end of the line refers to a 
photograph, if shown, and also to a corresponding number on the availability list. 
Some pictures are added to give a glimpse of the romantic background of our 
exotic plants in their native lands. 
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