Hawai'i's floriculture industry is getting high-profile Mainland exposure that growers hope will translate into stronger sales.

"Neotropica," a picture guidebook featuring an array of flowers and foliage grown in Hawai'i, debuted yesterday at the American Institute of Floral Designers Symposium in Kansas City, Mo. The book features 756 varieties of tropical plants from the four classifications of tropical flowers: orchids, tropicals, proteas and anthuriums as well as cut foliage.

"Every day, I wish I knew the name of something that is pictured in the wholesale market," said floral designer Jim Johnson of the American Institute of Floral Design in College Station, Texas. "I think this guide would benefit any professional in our industry — designers, wholesalers and retailers."

Floriculture is Hawai'i's second-largest agricultural category by sales, generating $98.6 million in 2008, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Almost half of those sales were made out of state.

Eric Tanouye of Green Point Nurseries in Hilo, president of the Hawai'i Florists and Shippers Association, said he feels the guide will give state growers an advantage in the marketplace.

"This is the first time (Hawai'i's) floral and nursery industries have united. We feel that this guide will give us a significant competitive advantage," Tanouye said.

The guide was written by floral artists Lois Hiranaga and Hitomi Gilliam, and photographed by Gilliam's son Colin, with donations from Hawai'i florists associations.

Gilliam, who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, said the guide is written for "everyone who loves flowers," but that it will most directly benefit florists and floral designers.

"The new guide will be the ingredient list for floral design recipes," said Gilliam, a floral artist, lecturer and author. "A missing link for designers who have to plan different projects."

The book is sponsored by eight local floriculture groups including: the Hawai'i Florists and Shippers Association, Hawai'i Tropical Flower Council, Hawaii Export Nursery Association, and floriculture groups on Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island.

"Before, you could only do one type of color, but with the new varieties, you can do new things. Before, there was never a thought that tropicals were feminine. But now there are flowers that use beautiful pastels," Gilliam said.

Gilliam said she got the idea for the guide from a similar publication printed in Holland after years of using it not just for ordering, but for visualizing designs as well.

"The Flower Council of Holland put together a handbook like that they publish every year, and it's the first book I go to on what to order, but there's very little tropical."

Gilliam said she plans to update the book every three years, but is also planning on a possible Web site in the coming years.

The first time Hawai'i residents will be able to pick up "Neotropica" will be at the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation Farm Fair at the Bishop Museum Saturday and Sunday.