21.   But every free moment, he indulges his passion for audacious tropical plants.

22.   But Shaman Pharmaceuticals, a South San Francisco company that produces dietary supplements derived from tropical plants, still has an active market for its stock.

23.   Coleuses are tropical plants that do not like to fry in the sun.

24.   Dr. Grady L. Webster, an expert on tropical plants at the University of California at Davis, said that Criollo might have ended up in Mexico through trade.

25.   Even tropical plants slow down this time of year, he said, because December is a dry month in the rain forest.

26.   Exotic tropical plants are maintained in greenhouses and a conservatory.

27.   For example, Lisa Conte, whose Shaman Pharmaceuticals in San Carlos, Calif., creates new medicines from exotic tropical plants, is successful.

28.   French doors opened to a private patio with an umbrella-covered table and chairs surrounded by tropical plants.

29.   Garden curator of tropical plants Ron Gagliardo, said the bloom will stay on display through Friday.

30.   He also expanded the staff to further research projects on the biology of tropical plants.