Dictionary of Horticulture Vol 7

Plants of horticultural importance with numerous species and innumerable varieties and cultivars, ranging from enormous trees of more than 100 m high to small herbs, comprising fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, plantation crops, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants are of great commercial value, providing food, shelter, beverages, oil, paper, rubber, medicine and natural essential oils, etc. Numerous ornamental plants are extensively grown for beautification outdoors throughout the world, and as housepiants indoors; cut flowers constitute a major item in the beautification programme and in commercial floriculture. The plants in general, trees and shrubs in particular, many of which are of horticultural importance, are friendly to environment, contributing enormously for sustaining life on the Earth by releasing oxygen, reducing the level of carbon dioxide and industrial gases that cause air pollution and global warming, minimizing erosion, maintaining soil fertility, encouraging recreation, etc., resulting in a better environment for a better life.