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Bulbs of the Fynbos
R420.00Bulbous plants produce some of the most striking natural oral displays, and our region is endowed with the greatest number and richest variety globally. With over 1,200 naturally occurring bulb species, the Cape Floristic Region is the undisputed bulb capital of the world and the source of many species now found growing in other parts of the world, including Europe, the UK and the USA.
Bulbs of the Fynbos features 345 of the region’s more common or showy species, meticulously arranged for easy comparison and identi cation. is guide features:
- Detailed accounts of each species, including diagnostic features, owering times, habitat and distribution, as well as information on subspecies and similar species
- Colour photographs capturing the plants’ splendour and diversity
- An informative introduction examining the biology, structure and conservation status of fynbos bulbs, and explaining the botanical features that are essential for identification.
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Proteas of the Fynbos
R360.00Proteas are South Africa’s wildflower celebrities: the King Protea is emblazoned on the National Coat of Arms and gives its name to the country’s cricket team.A total of 330 protea species are found in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region – the botanical treasure house at the southern tip of Africa.Proteas of the Fynbos features 165 of the region’s more common or showy species, with pointers to many more. Each species account details diagnostic features, flowering times, habitats and distribution, while colour photographs showcase the beauty and diversity of this charismatic plant group. An informative introduction explores the biology, pollination, origin and conservation status of fynbos proteas, and highlights features to aid identification.Arranged in groups and subgroups for easy identification, this innovative guide enables flower enthusiasts to confidently identify over half of all fynbos protea species. -
Kirstenbosch: Most Beautiful Garden in Africa
R420.00The view from this spot … is the most picturesque of any I had seen in the vicinity of Cape Town.
William Burchell — Travels in the Interior of South Africa, 1822Kirstenbosch is a name that resonates around the world as the home of a uniquely rich flora in a setting of unsurpassed beauty. Established soon after the unification of South Africa in 1910, the Garden continues to draw both tourists and locals to its enchanting spaces and botanical riches.
This book tells of how the Garden came to be, its setbacks and triumphs, its benefactors and heroes. It outlines the Garden’s scientific eminence as the repository of knowledge on our prized flora and presents its many attractions.
In this new edition, the story is brought up to date with details of new developments and attractions, making it a quality memento for visitors and the thousands of locals who flock there annually.
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Pocket Guide Trees of Zambia
R280.00The most recent addition to the popular POCKET GUIDE series, Trees of Zambia features 140 indigenous tree species and four naturalised exotics likely to be seen in Zambia and its 20 national parks. The trees are organised in five groups, each with a unique set of characteristics, to help narrow down options in identifying a tree. Each page describes a single tree species, combining concise text and photographs.
Features include:
• Succinct species descriptions including bark, leaves, owers and fruit
• Full-colour photographs of trees and their parts
• Up-to-date distribution maps
• A brief introduction covering vegetation types
• Table of family names and tree characteristics
• Local names for trees
• Best viewing locations, including national parksAn invaluable guide for anyone interested in Zambia’s trees!
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The Ways and Wonders of South African Trees
R500.00A celebration of the rich diversity and beauty of indigenous trees, The Ways and Wonders of South African Trees uncovers the fascinating world of trees and how they function.
Presented in two parts, the first explores the physiology and behaviour of trees and the second the grandeur of a select number of species, richly supported by photographs. A comprehensive introduction focuses on the complex life of trees, uncovering how they grow, compete for water, defend themselves and make use of photosynthesis to survive; their role in pollination; and the symbiotic relationships they have with each other and other life forms. Record-breakers such as the oldest, tallest and biggest trees are also featured.
The second half of the book showcases some 160 conspicuous species, including the iconic baobab, sausage tree and mopane tree, as well as lesser-known but interesting trees such as baboon’s breakfast. These accounts describe the unique traits of different trees and their various parts, and discusses how they are used by animals and birds, and by humans.
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Ericas of the Fynbos
R360.00Ericas come in an astonishing array of sizes, shapes and colours. Some 760 species, many of them found nowhere else, occur in the Cape Floristic region – a centre of unparalleled diversity for the genus and home to one of the world’s richest floras.
Even when in bloom, telling these delicate flowers apart is extremely challenging. In Ericas of the Fynbos, 170 of the region’s most common plants are described in detail, with key ID features highlighted for quick reference. In addition, information is given on distribution, flowering times, subspecies and similar species – providing more tools to aid accurate identification. Vivid full-colour photographs of each species showcase the astonishing variety and stunning beauty of the flowers. An informative introduction unpacks biology, pollination and distribution of erica species.
Enriched by a lively design, this innovative guide will give all flower enthusiasts, gardeners and hikers, the confidence to accurately identify ericas in the wild.
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Nature Now Trees of Kruger
R290.00This book describes and illustrates 80 of the larger, more conspicuous and common tree species likely to be seen while travelling in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Intended as a handy guide to accurate identification, each spread shows the tree in full display along with a selection of supplementary images such as leaves, flowers, fruit and bark.
Succinct text with minimal botanical jargon supports the images, and informative boxes describe the uses of plant parts.
A series of maps demarcating 35 different vegetation zones or ‘landscapes’ within the Park helps readers to determine which tree species are likely to be seen in which area. -
Field Guide to the Amaryllis Family of Southern Africa and Surrounding Territories
R500.00The Amaryllidaceae family is distributed in warm temperate and tropical parts of the world. With 18 genera and 265 taxa occurring in the region, southern Africa is recognised as a major centre of diversity for this intriguing family. This compelling guide features all the species found in the region, conveniently grouped according to the biome of their natural habitat, and includes a useful key to genera and species.
Species accounts feature:
– Comprehensive text suitable for laypersons and scientists
– Information on distribution, similar taxons, life cycle and flowering period
– Notes on cultivation, history, medicinal properties and conservation
– Distribution maps
– Colour photographs and watercolour platesAn invaluable addition to the library of any plant or nature lover.
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Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg
R550.00Part of the Fynbos biome, Renosterveld is one of the world’s most threatened vegetation types, with just 5% of its original extent remaining. Focusing specifically on the Renosterveld of the Overberg region in the Western Cape, this field guide is the first of its kind to cover this highly endangered ecosystem, characterised by nutrient-rich soil which has been exploited for agriculture.
An in-depth introduction sets the scene, defining what Renosterveld is and giving some historical background to the ecology of the area.
The plants section follows, featuring over 980 plant species from the common and ‘showy’ to the weird, obscure and often-overlooked.
A shorter section of 140 animal species showcases the diversity of creatures found here despite severe habitat loss and fragmentation.
Additional features include a glossary with supporting illustrations, guidelines for landowners and farmers, and a comprehensive index.
Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg promises to be an enduring record of this unique and severely threatened ecosystem. It will be a vital addition to any nature lover’s bookshelf. -
Identifiseer die Bome van Suider-Afrika (NE)
R400.00‘n Regstreekse, voor die hand liggende en effektiewe gids tot boom-identifikasie.
Dié boek se titel sê dit alles! Hierdie bygewerkte tweede uitgawe verskaf ‘n duidelike uiteensetting van hoe bome saamgestel is en waarna om op te let wanneer ‘n boom geïdentifiseer word. Die boek bestaan uit twee dele:
Deel 1 beskryf en illustreer duidelik die verskillende dele van ‘n boom en hul rol in boomidentifikasie.
Deel 2 bevat ‘n sleutel tot 43 boomgroepe, gebaseer op maklik waarneembare stingel- en blaarkenmerke. Dit gee ‘n duidelike oorsig van elke groep, sowel as die Suider-Afrikaanse boomfamilies wat in die onderskeie groepe verteenwoordig word. Talle kleurfoto’s en verduidelikende illustrasies ondersteun die teks wat dié handleiding toeganklik en gebruikersvriendelik maak.Identifiseer die Bome van Suider-Afrika sal lesers toerus met ‘n goeie begrip van die bou van bome en waarna hulle moet oplet om dit korrek te kan identifiseer.
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How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa (NE)
R400.00A direct, straightforward and effective guide to tree identification.
This book’s title says it all! Now in an updated second edition, it provides a clear understanding of how trees are constructed and what to look for when identifying a tree. The book is divided into two parts:
Part 1 describes and clearly illustrates the different parts of a tree and their role in tree identification.
Part 2 features a key to 43 tree groups, based on easy-to-observe stem and leaf features. It carefully outlines each group and the southern African tree families represented in the different groups.Numerous colour photographs and explanatory illustrations support the text, making this an accessible and easy-to-use guide. How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa will equip readers with a sound understanding of how trees are constructed and what to look for in order to make a positive identification.
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100 Bushveld Trees
R390.00This highly visual new guide introduces readers to 100 of the most memorable trees in the bushveld – the northern and eastern regions of South Africa, encompassing both the lowveld and the highveld.
An introduction covers the basics of tree anatomy, supported by a pictorial glossary, and details the author’s streamlined ID method that enables even novices to make quick and sure identifications.
Most trees are generously featured across double-page spreads;
Full tree images along with diagnostic photos (bark, leaves, thorns, flowers, pods, fruit, etc.) enable readers to distinguish even those trees that are most confusing, such as the ‘acacias’ or the bushwillows;
Concise text highlights each tree’s key features;
Interesting facts, multiple uses and particular value the trees have among local populations are given.With its abundant, detailed photographs and straightforward text, this guide will help readers unlock the complicated world of trees.
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Field Guide to Orchids of South Africa (NE)
R610.00Orchids of South Africa is the first field guide to local orchids to be published in over 30 years, and presents the more than 450 orchid species found in the region, including Lesotho and Swaziland. A hands-on, practical book, it allocates a generous double-page spread to most of the featured herbs, instructing:
A comprehensive round-up of orchids in their natural habitat, the book features:
● multiple photos for each species
● distribution maps
● flowering time-bars
● succinct text, enabling sure identification of these fascinating plants.An illustrated introduction discusses orchid structure, ecology and conservation status. Informative, colourful and easy-to-use, Orchids of South Africa is the authoritative update enthusiasts have been waiting for.
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Pocket Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
R280.00Southern Africa boasts a rich variety of tree species, both indigenous and exotic. Pocket Guide Trees of Southern Africa is an authoritative introduction to the region’s trees, describing and illustrating 132 species. This publication has its origins in Van Wyk’s A Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa and has been fully revised and updated by well-known authority Braam van Wyk. Each species account highlights the key identification features, and also touches on the medicinal and commercial uses of the trees.
This compact, easy-to-use guide makes an ideal travelling companion and will help readers to become more knowledgeable about trees.
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Veldgids Bome van Suider Afrika
R650.00NUWE UITGAWE JULIE 2013
Hierdie omvattend uitgebreide, hersiene uitgawe van die beste verkoper onder boom-veldgidse vir die streek bied veel meer as die hoogs suksesvolle eerste uitgawe. Volledig bygewerkte teks (insluitend bykomende spesie-inskrywings) en verspreidingskaarte, talle nuwe foto’s en ’n nuwe seksie van 87 bladsye met foto’s van die hele boom maak dié gewilde gids nog meer noodsaaklik in die veld.
Suider-Afrika het ’n ryk verskeidenheid bome, met sowat 2 100 inheemse en meer as 100 genaturaliseerde uitheemse spesies. Veldgids tot Bome van Suider-Afrika beskryf en illustreer meer as 1 000 hiervan, met die klem op die algemeenste bome en dié wat waarskynlik die meeste teëgekom word. Spesies is op grond van maklik waarneembare blaar- en stingelkenmerke logies in 43 groepe gerangskik, elke inskrywing met volkleurfoto’s van die diagnostiese dele van die plant. Praktiese gebruike van die plante word ook genoem.
Also available in English
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Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
R650.00NEW EDITION JULY 2013
This comprehensively updated and expanded edition of the region’s best-selling field guide to trees offers much, much more than the highly successful first edition. Fully updated text (including additional species entries) and distribution maps, numerous new photographs and a new 87-page section of full-tree photographs makes this well-loved guide even more indispensable in the field.
Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalised aliens. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on trees that are the most common and most likely to be encountered. Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the plant’s diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the plants.
Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans
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Succulent Flora of Southern Africa
R500.00Succulent Flora of Southern Africa, first published in 1981, has long served as an authoritative guide for academics and lay enthusiasts alike. This long-awaited third edition takes into account intervening taxonomic advances and the discovery and naming of ever more species. All information has been fully revised, updated and supplemented in line with the latest thinking, and the book has been newly designed for clarity and ease of reference. Given the phenomenal extent and variety of our region’s succulent flora, this revised version is a timely – and classic – addition to the botanical literature of southern Africa.
