Le Jardin du Roy. Spice Garden (Seychelles). 2017. ca. 69 col.. photogr. 130 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.- In English.

Way back in the late 18th century the original idea might well have been to set up a plantation here at Anse Royale based on the production mainly of spices, but today the area hosts much more than that. Thousands of plants being divided among some 3, if not 400 different species, are spread over more than 30ha of mountanous land with lush vegeta-tion and rainforest. 5ha of them have been cleared and are, since the late 1970s, open to the public. Some 125 different, mainly introduced plants can be experienced incl. 15 various spices from Nutmeg over Clove, Cinnamon and Black Pepper to Vanilla (the absolute pride of the present owner). 29 different medicinal plants, and a vast number of other species, where focus amongst others is on the food-, craftwork- or other uses, are growing alongside as well.

Thus, Royal Spice Garden is a true wildlife sanctury with peace, atmosphere, plants and animals thriving ideal side by side. As regards the plants, the garden hosts indeed many exciting ones, that really calls for a visit or a closer study by anyone with just the slightest interest in plants and their particular uses. At some of them there are mounted illustrated info boards, or else this book might add to comfort your curiosity.
The author has tied a notable bouquet of well chosen plants with the main emphasis being laid on the spices, the medicinal plants and plants with other remarkable uses each telling a facinating and surprising story - even for me. (Bernard Georges, heir to the Royal Spice Gaden)