This is the seventh book in a nine-volume flora that is the first full scientific account of the plants of a botanically rich and geologically ancient part of northern South America, the Venezuelan Guayana. This area is dominated by massive table mountains, tepuis, that tower over surrounding rain forest and savannas and provide a wealth of habitats for nearly 10,000 species of vascular plants. Volume 1 provides a general introduction to the southeastern half of Venezuela that encompasses the flora area, with chapters on geography, history of botanical exploration, vegetation types, endemism, and conservation. Keys to the families of seed plants are also provided.

The present volume continues the alphabetical sequence of family treatments begun in Volume 2, which treated the ferns and their allies and the first 11 families of seed plants. Keys, descriptions, and illustrations of more than half the species treated a feature rarely found in floras of even more familiar areas make this work an enduring reference that will be useful well beyond the borders of the vast region covered by the flora.

More than 200 botanists from around the world have collaborated on this project, which is based at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Volume 7 is enhanced by 646 drawings of plants, mostly by noted botanical artist Bruno Manara. The entire flora will contain close to 5000 drawings, or roughly half of the nearly 10,000 species treated. Mr. Manara worked closely with Dr. Steyermark and accompanied him on a number of his collecting expeditions.