by Victoria Padilla
This 112 page book is a continuation of V. Padilla's first book titled "Bromeliads" that was published in 1971. It contains 144 color plates that had originally been submitted to the Bromeliad Society for use in its publications. There is a listing of credits for the photos in the back of the book.
This is basically a picture book with discussions accompanying the photos. The discussions are good but brief, giving information on, location and cultivation. Also included is a reasonably accurate description of the plant under discussion. As Ms. Padilla states, the discussions have relied heavily on the works of Dr.Lyman B. Smith and Dr.Werner Rauh, but she also draws on plants from her own garden and passes on many cultural tips gained from her experience.
The chapters are given wistful titles such as "In the Begining-The Puyas" or "Not Born to Blush Unseen-The Neoregelias". Some may be put off by these titles, but I find them quit clever. She covers the major genera and some of the lesser ones such as Navia, Pitcairnia, and Orthophytum. Not many species are presented in these later chapters, but that is probably due to the fact that there weren't that many species known at the time this work was written. Again this points out how rapidly the world of bromeliads is changing. There is a sprinkling of hybrids throughout the book.
This book is no longer in print but I do know that there are copies to be found on the used book market, however there is no ISBN number to assist in your search. It would be a fine addition to any bromeliad lovers library and worth the effort to find a copy. The photos are lovely, some that I've not seen anywhere else. The most unusual being a Pitcairnia tabuliformis. If you can find a copy of this book then by all means get it.
