Gideon F. Smith has authored numerous scientific papers, as well as popular works such as First Field Guide to Aloes (2003), Gardening with Succulents (2005), Cacti and Succulents (2006) and Aloes in Southern Africa (2007). Now retired, he was chief director for Biosystematics Research and Biodiversity Collections at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and Professor of Plant Science at the University of Pretoria.
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Field Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa
R580.00Southern Africa is the natural home of the richest and most diverse succulent flora in the world. These plants come in all shapes and sizes, from trees such as the baobab at more than 20 m tall, to miniature soil huggers, just a few millimetres high, which mimic their pebble-desert surroundings. This user-friendly, richly illustrated field guide features more than 700 southern African succulents, focusing on the most interesting and commonly encountered species. An introduction to families and their key features will help readers identify the relevant plant group, while concise accounts describing the plants’ diagnostic features, along with distribution maps, will enable quick ID of species. More than just an ID guide for plant lovers, this book will inspire gardeners who are turning to indigenous, low-maintenance and water-wise plants for cultivation.
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First Field Guide: Aloes of Southern Africa
R120.00Sasol First Field Guide to Aloes of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the aloes of the region.
Full-colour photographs, distribution maps and easy-to-read text will help the budding naturalist to identify the more common aloes found in southern African gardens and landscapes, discover where they occur, and learn about their unique features.