Kew Pocketbooks: Tropical Plants

Author: Langley, Brie

Painting & paintings

Published on 28 July 2025 by Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew Publishing) in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Kew Pocketbooks' series.

Hardback | 96 pages, 40 Illustrations, colour
147 x 193 x 17 | 316g

Tropical plants, from the self-peeling banana to the Brasilian rain tree, are a rich and biologically diverse group which draw attention with striking colours, textures and structures.These pocket-size profiles introduce you to the beautiful plants that thrive in warm, humid environments, including the psychedelic Ayahuasca, which is famously used by indigenous cultures in the Amazon and butterfly pea, with flowers which can be used to create colour-changing herbal tea. This Kew Pocketbook is an exploration of some of the most compelling tropical plants, showcased through 40 stunning paintings from the Kew archives.

An introductory chapter by Kew expert Brie Langley provides an overview of this plant group, and extended captions accompany each painting. The luxury finish on these books makes them a must-have gift item, printed on uncoated paper and with a cloth and foil finish.