Encyclopaedia of Australian plants suitable for cultivation By Rodger Elliot and David Jones 8 volumes published to date (Volume 3 and 5 out of print) by Lothian Books, colour and b&w, hard cover Prices: Volume 1 $A110, Volume 2 $A145, Volume 4 $A150 Volumes 6-8 $A150 each, plus $A12 postage within Australia [up to 3 kg], overseas postage please request a quote Volume 9 due early 2010

This world-first Encyclopaedia records the flora of Australia and aims to include all horticulturally desirable plants plus others that have useful attributes. It caters for the professional horticulturist and amateur gardening enthusiast, and is written in an easy-to-understand style. Text is complemented by many line drawings by Trevor Blake and a wonderful selection of colour photographs. In addition to the Encyclopaedia a looseleaf Supplementary Volume was begun in 1994 to ensure that all earlier volumes are kept up-to-date as possible. It includes new species and cultivars, name changes, a cumulative common names index and much other useful information.

Volume 1 of the Encyclopaedia deals with propagation and cultivation, and has been welcomed by growers of Australian plants throughout the world. ISBN 9780850911428

Volume 2 (A-Ca) describes 2100 species from 300 genera and includes Acacia, Banksia and Callistemon. ISBN 9780850911435

Volume 3 (Ce-Er) includes 1700 species from 105 genera such as Dendrobium, Eremophila and Eriostemon (OUT OF PRINT)

Volume 4 (Eu-Go) includes the major genus Eucalyptus and other genera such as Ficus and Goodenia. ISBN 9780850912135

Volume 5 (Gr-J) the important genera Grevillea and Hakea are covered (OUT OF PRINT)

Volume 6 (K-M) gives detailed treatment to genera such as Leptospermum, Livistonia, Macadamia, Macrozamia and Melaleuca. ISBN 9780850915891

Volume 7 (N-Po) amounts to over 1300 species from over 240 genera. Some of the most popular and important genera include Nephrolepis, Olearia, Pandanus, Patersonia, Phelabium, Pittosporum, Podocarpus and Pomaderris. ISBN 9780850916348

Volume 8 (Pr-So) contains many widely known species, from Pultenaea to Schoenoplectus. ISBN 9780734403780

Volume 9 (Sp-Z) Eliott and Jones ISBN 9780734409744, pp. 496, $A250.00, publication delayed until February 2010

About the authors

Rodger Elliot and his wife Gwen began propagating and growing Australian plants commercially in the early 1960s. Rodger is now involved in consultative projects, including export of Australian plants. He is author of a number of horticultural and botanical books and is a contributor to Australian and overseas horticultural publications. In 1992 he received the Australian Institute of Horticulture's Award for Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to Horticulture, and then in 1995 he was awarded the Australia Natural History Medallion.

David Jones is renowned in Australia and overseas for his botanical and horticultural work on Australian plants. His studies of the specialist fields of ferns, orchids, palms and cycads have vastly improved our understanding of these unique plant groups. He has published many scientific papers on this group of plants. David has travelled extensively throughout Australia in his search for knowledge and he continues to photograph many rare and unusual species from remote areas. He is presently a research scientist at the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research at CSIRO.