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
-
Pocket Guide to Fynbos
R280.00Pocket Guide Fynbos features over 300 of the most spectacular and commonly seen species from South Africa’s renowned floral kingdom – all in one handy, easy-to-use guide.
The species are presented in detail, with each entry featuring:
succinct descriptions of the plant and its habitat, comparisons with similar species and flowering times
full-colour photographs and distribution maps
floral key, using symbols to denote main identifying features
interesting facts about species.
For ease of use, the species are divided into 10 distinct groups, and an illustrated floral key on the inside front cover offers flower lovers a smart tool with which to identify species more accurately.The introduction describes the world of fynbos, detailing the origins, diversity, adaptations and conservation of this unique flora.
This compact guide is an invaluable aid for anyone interested in South Africa’s astonishing floral treasures.
-
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.
-
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.
-
First Field Guide: Wild Flowers of South Africa
R130.00Sasol First Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the wild flowers of the region. With the help of full-colour photo graphs and easy-to-read text, the beginner and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common wild flowers that grow in southern Africa, discover where they are found, and learn about their unique features.
-
Plants of the Baviaanskloof
R560.00Tucked away in the southwestern corner of the Eastern Cape lies a narrow valley, flanked by the Baviaanskloof and Kouga mountain ranges. Named after the chacma baboons that long ago made this 200-km-long kloof their home, the Baviaanskloof is part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. It is a meeting point of several different ecosystems, with almost all of South Africa’s eight biomes represented, making for an exceptional diversity of species, including many endemics.
Plants of the Baviaanskloof describes well over 1,000 plant species. It includes:
– Succinct descriptions of each plant species with full-colour photographs
– Brief family and genus descriptions, and species counts for the area
– An introduction covering the geology, climate and vegetation types of the regionCompiled over two decades, Plants of the Baviaanskloof is sure to become an enduring record of the diversity of plant life found here. The only botanical guide for this area, it is a must-have for botanists, gardeners, road-trippers, hikers, travellers and all who have a deep interest in plants.
-
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.
-
Field Guide to Mushrooms & other Fungi of SA
R520.00Neither plant nor animal, mushrooms constitute a unique group of organisms. They appear in a staggering variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and identifying them can be difficult. This compact, beautifully illustrated guide is the perfect tool for identification in the field. It features 200 of the most distinctive and conspicuous mushrooms and other fungi found in South Africa. Each species is presented with a clear description and several full-colour photographs to aid quick and accurate identification. Notes on distribution, ecology, size, edibility, toxicity and other interesting facts complete the entries.
A brief introduction outlines the basic anatomy and biology of mushrooms and the vital role they play in sustaining all life. There are also guidelines to foraging and to photographing mushrooms, and a small selection of simple but delicious mushroom recipes.
Packed with more than 850 photographs, this is both a practical guide and a beautiful book that will inspire nature lovers, foragers, epicureans and anyone curious about these extraordinary life forms.
-
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.