African Baobab
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
| Author: | Rupert Watson |
|---|
| ISBN: | 9781775848691 | |
|---|---|---|
| Format: | Softcover | |
| Price: | R340.00.00 | |
| Release Date: | 2024-03-22 |
R340.00
Baobab trees are living monuments, the oldest natural things in Africa, outlasting every plant and animal around them. Surviving in some of the driest, rockiest areas of this continent, paradoxically they live longer and grow larger than most other trees in the world.
In this absorbing and inspired new edition of The African Baobab, author Rupert Watson explores the life and times of this fascinating tree, from its early Madagascan beginnings to its present status on the continent and its future in a changing Africa. It is a compelling read on an African icon that has intrigued travelers for hundreds of years.
The narrative effortlessly blends natural science, history and personal observations, sometimes drawing on extracts from the journals of early explorers. There are intriguing accounts of the baobab’s eccentric growth and reproductive habits, its present-day distribution, and its wide impact on everyday African life. Watson also takes a close look at the relationship between humans and baobabs, and the tree’s myriad uses over the ages, from shelters to medicinal and spiritual applications.
Aimed at naturalists, environmentalists, botanical enthusiasts, travellers, and anyone awed by the wonders of plants, this book cannot but inspire.
In stock
Related products
-
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 Succulents of Southern Africa
R450.00Southern 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.
-
First Field Guide: Trees of Southern Africa
R130.00These natural history guides have been developed to encourage young people and anyone with a budding interest in natural history to learn about the wonders of southern Africa’s fascinating fauna and flora. They are an invaluable resource for the beginner, providing information at a glance: each of the species presented is described in easy-to-read text, with a photograph and distribution map. A short introduction gives context to the topic.
-
Quick ID Guide: Wildflowers Cape Peninsula
R220.00Written with the non-specialist in mind, this guide is a must-have for flower lovers, hikers, tour guides and tourists – anyone interested in identifying the wild flowers that grace the Cape Peninsula. Quick ID Guide: Wild Flowers of the Cape Peninsula covers the most remarkable and commonly seen wild flowers of Table Mountain, Silvermine and Cape Point. The book was originally published as Common Wild Flowers of Table Mountain in 2007, then revised in 2013 to include the flowers of Silvermine.
This new edition offers:
360 (previously 208) of the region’s most remarkable and commonly seen wild flowers
Clear photographs of all featured flowers and concise, informative text
Flowers grouped according to colour, to help with quick ID
Walking routes in the Peninsula’s famed reserves, plotted on 3 clear maps.
Illustrated glossary of terms -
Wild Flowers of Namaqualand
R610.00Namaqualand is justifiably famous for the floral wonderland it becomes in spring, when seas of bright flowers carpet the land. Astonishingly, the carpet comprises some 3,800 species, of which 28% are endemic.
This book introduces nearly 600 species, highlighting those most commonly found, most conspicuous, spectacular or interesting, as well as endemics. An introduction touches on the species selection for the book, the climatic and topographical subregions within Namaqualand, plant names and uses, and conservation issues.
The concise species descriptions also give seed and fruit details, uses, local growing conditions and flowering times, along with beautiful full-colour photographs. This is a must-have guide for visitors to Namaqualand, or for anyone interested in the wild flowers of southern Africa.
-
Field Guide to Fynbos
R610.00Field Guide to Fynbos features over 1,000 species from the Cape Floristic Region – home to one of the world’s richest floras. This fully updated edition focuses on the most common and ‘showy’ plants.
An introduction unpacks the world of fynbos – including origins, diversity, climate and adaptations – and is followed by a photographic key and descriptions of the fynbos families. Species descriptions are accompanied by photographs, distribution maps, comparisons with similar species, and notes on traditional uses.
For botanists and amateurs alike, this will remain an indispensable guide to South Africa’s most renowned flora.
-
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.
-
100 Trees to See on Safari
R260.00East Africa is a premier wildlife destination, well known for its mass migrations of herds and fearsome predators. But as iconic are the trees that grow there: among them mangroves, cycads, palms, marulas, acacias, sausage trees, fever trees, toothbrush trees and giant bamboos. This book showcases 100 of the region’s most visible and significant trees, arranged by the habitats in which they occur. It features:
Concise descriptions of each tree and its parts, plus notes about the various uses of the tree parts
Multiple images showing the full tree and key ID features, including flowers, leaves, fruit and bark
Where to see the trees, including the national parks and nature reserves
A brief introduction to the trees of the region and their vegetation zonesColourful, interesting and geared for quick tree identification, this handy guide will enhance any safari experience in East Africa.




























Be the first to review “African Baobab”
You must be logged in to post a review.