The Encyclopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance
This is the second edition of the Big Book of Herbs (Interweave Press, 2000), which received an award for Excellence in Herbal Literature from the Herb Society of America. The new edition has the same format and text but with some additions and updates. Each of the 500 profiles provides information on growing, identifying, harvesting, and preserving herbs. The entries also give the history of the plant and its uses in landscapes, cooking, and crafts. The majority of entries are accompanied by line drawings of the herb. There are also detailed chapters on herb cultivation, propagation, and growing conditions. About 20 percent of the volume contains “selected references,” a number of which have been updated for this edition. The encyclopedia is definitely a scholarly reference source for botanists, but it will also be of interest to the weekend gardener. A recommended purchase for horticulture collections and especially libraries that do not own the first edition. --Christine Bulson