This is a unique, first-of-its-kind tree book with beautiful illustrations of the fruiting twigs of 381 South African trees.

The reason behind illustrating tree fruits is that, like so many tree-lovers, Trevor found it difficult to identify many tree species from their leaves as they are the most variable of all the plant parts. Fruits, like flowers, have much more stable shapes and sizes and, unlike flowers, are easier to identify macroscopically. Scratch around the under-canopy of trees and you may find the remains of fruit that can be useful for identification. Thus, this book was born, and it represents the culmination of some 40 years’ work by the author.

This book includes:

• Specially coded keys showing colour and size for easyidentification.
• The current botanical binomial, recent old names (due totaxonomic changes) and the “best” common name are given.
• Notes on distribution, fruiting time and habitats are also provided.
• 381 Beautiful illustrations of the fruiting twigs of South African trees

WINNER OF THE THE PULITZER PRIZE IN FICTION and SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE, a wondrous, exhilarating novel about nine strangers brought together by an unfolding natural catastrophe.

An artist inherits a hundred years of photographic portraits, all of the same doomed American chestnut. A hard-partying undergraduate in the late 1980s electrocutes herself, dies, and is sent back into life by creatures of air and light. A hearing- and speech-impaired scientist discovers that trees are communicating with one another. An Air Force crewmember in the Vietnam War is shot out of the sky, then saved by falling into a banyan.

This is the story of these and five other strangers, each summoned in different ways by the natural world, who are brought together in a last stand to save it from catastrophe.

Compiled by Ruth Parker and showcasing Brita Lomba’s evocative photographs, this collection pays tribute to our oldest living companions – the majestic trees that grace South Africa’s wild and urban spaces, nourishing our intricate, often fragile ecosystems.

South Africans from a range of backgrounds – writers, conservationists, historians and tree lovers of all stripes – offer intimate tales of their encounters with these extraordinary beings: from forest giants to shade-giving childhood companions, from urban landmarks to remote desert dwellers, from mighty baobabs to storied vines. Each account distils the essence of a beloved tree and shows how its long life is interwoven with human culture and history.

The branches of this diverse selection bear rich fruits for readers with a passion for nature, history or photography. Tree Encounters is a moving homage to these quiet, powerful mainstays of the natural world – and a compelling plea for their protection.

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 work and what to look for in order to make a positive ID.

This fully updated edition of Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa covers more than 1,100 species of flora, focusing on the most common, conspicuous and ‘showy’ plants around the region.

An informative introduction discusses plant diversity, vegetation types, and includes a key to identifying plant groups. The species descriptions follow and each is accompanied by:

• a vivid photograph,
• a distribution map showing range, and
• an indication of the plant’s flowering season.

This invaluable, up-to-date guide provides the tools and information needed to identify flowering plants across South Africa.

This beautifully illustrated book will share the infinite wisdom of flowers,providing inspiration from nature to gain perspective,resilience and live a beautiful life.

Taking sixty of the world’s most amazing flowers and flowering plants, including the corpse flower from Indonesia, the bat-face cuphea and the chocolate cosmos flower from Mexico, the Pohutukawa tree from New Zealand, the lipstick tree and the giant water lily from South America, the voodoo lily from the Mediterranean, the lesser-known plum blossom and the skeleton flower from Japan, and not forgetting the beautiful jade vine from the Philippines, this book will share their unique symbolism and the characteristics and strengths that allow them to thrive, inspiring us to follow their example and make the most of every moment.

A 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.

Ericas 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.

A refreshing new book on mushrooms and other fungi in South Africa, covering 200 species - more than any mushroom book in the region to date. Text covers each species' distribution (both regionally and worldwide), description, typical habitat, edibility and toxicity. Magnificent photographs accompany each species, making this both a practical guide and a beautiful book. It will be welcomed by all mushroom enthusiasts, and by nature-lovers in general.

Proteas 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.

The 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, 1822

Kirstenbosch 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.

  Watch a thousand years unfold in the life of one magnificent tree! A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an enormous oak tree! As the centuries sweep by, children play games around the tree. Families dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow trunk! The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals, from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles. After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm - but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins all over again. The tree's magical life story is brought to life in Julia Donaldson's rich, dramatic rhyme. Victoria Sandøy's gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the people and wildlife that pass by Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures, and seeing the games children play around the tree This is a book that encourages us all to look more closely at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient trees. The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them. Praise for The Christmas Pine, also by Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy: "Magical . . . as well as paying tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures illuminate the two other things close to Julia's heart: the power of children and song" Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children's books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services to literature, and is the most celebrated children's writer in Britain today. Many of Julia Donaldson's beloved picture books have been made into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the BBC at Christmas.

Sappi tree spotting is the well-known, easy method of tree identification, written for the newcomer to the area as well as the experienced tree enthusiast. Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld (including the Kruger National Park) is now in its third edition, and it will help the reader to recognize almost three quarters of the larger trees to be seen in the Lowveld. The title is based on three innovative concepts - it keeps the terminology simple. The average recreational tree spotter will never use 'pubescent' when 'hairy' will do! Most trees are easy to find, as long as you look for the right trees in the right places. Some trees can be identified easily because of their Striking Features. These trees do not need a complex system of 'keying', because they are instantly recognisable.

The greatest botanical artists in the world capture one of the most diverse floral kingdoms on earth.

The traditional medium of botanical art is given a new lens with the aim to ultimately connect the reader to a bigger picture - one in which the intricate relationship between ourselves, the natural environment, plants and their pollinators is revealed. Expect meticulous detailing of floral structures, bursting seed pods, brightly coloured beetles, foraging ants, floating pollen and striped field mice...coupled with scientific facts and narrative stories about each plant.

This is a florilegium immersed in the natural world, informed by ecology and the fragility of our botanical heritage. Each chapter includes an up-front ‘Wunderkammer’ of artists' notes, colour swatches, working drawings and archeological details, revealing a glimpse into the creative process and ancient origins of the area.

A unique marriage of art, natural science and storytelling is used to share the treasures of our botanical heritage, diversity and sustainability.

Meet the Indiana Jones of vegetables on his quest to save our heritage produce.

Have you ever wondered how everyday staples such as peas, kale, asparagus, beans, squash and sweetcorn ended up on our plates? Well, so did Adam Alexander. Adam’s passion for heritage vegetables was ignited when he tasted an unusual, sweet and fiery pepper while on a filmmaking project in Ukraine. Smitten by its flavour, he began to seek out local growers of old and near-forgotten varieties in a mission to bring home seeds to grow and share – saving them from being lost forever.

In The Seed Detective, Adam tells of his far flung (and closer to home) seed-hunting adventures and reveals the stories behind many of our everyday vegetable heroes. How the common garden pea was domesticated from three wild species over 8,500 years ago, that the first carrots originated in Afghanistan (and were actually purple or red in colour), how Egyptian priests considered it a crime to look at a fava bean and that the Romans were fanatical about asparagus.

Join The Seed Detective as he takes us on a journey that began when we left the life of hunter-gatherers to become farmers. Sharing storiesof globalisation, political intrigue, colonisation and serendipity, Adam shows us the vital part vegetables have played in our food story – and how they are the key to our future.

Discover over 300 varieties of tree found in Britain and Europe with this new edition, in association with the RSPB From a Black Locust to a Downy Oak, discover over 300 varieties of tree, arranged by family and genu, with this pocket-sized guide. In-situ photographs and no nonsense notes covering anatomy and classification will help you identify them in the field quickly and accurately. Maps show you what trees to find where so you can plan your spotting and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest. An ideal guide for all the family.

Arranged in a directory of categories divided into wild plants, herbs, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, seaweeds and shellfish, this book has all of the information you need to forage for yourself.You'd be surprised at the bounty of wild food you can find practically on your doorstep: some native plants, some escapes from ancient gardens and all delicious. Most of these foods are within easy reach - however, you've got to know what you're looking for and where to go and when.Clear illustrations to help you identify a wholesome and natural food store, all for free. Hints on how to prepare and eat your foraged bounty are also included, along with advice on seasonality.

Hierdie titel met sy foto's en idees wys jou hoe om blomme op hul beste te vertoon en die plesier wat hulle jou bring, te verleng. Leer oor die beste blomme en loof vir rangskikkings wat hou, kleur, kombinasies en houers, hantering en versorging van blomme en veel meer. Die meer as 65 idees vir pragtig elegante dog eenvoudige rangskikkings word soos volg aangebied: Kitsrangskikkings wat binne enkele minute afgehandel word; maklike rangskikkings en rangskikkings met 'n bietjie meer om die lyf.

This book is an immersive experience into the delights of foraging in Spring, written by one of Britain's most respected foragers. Forage In Spring celebrates the top fifteen edible and medicinal wild plants found in March, April and May. It's a comprehensive exploration of their past and present uses as food and medicine. An invaluable addition to any forager, herbalist, gardener, horticulturist or naturalist's library, providing plant-lovers with a much-needed resource to understanding nature's most useful wild plants. Inside, you'll discover the forgotten story of Alexanders, Brooklime, Cleavers (Goosegrass), Dandelion, Garlic Mustard, Ground Elder, Ground Ivy, Plantain, Primrose, Ramsons (Wild Garlic), Sea Beet, Sorrel, Sowthistle, Stinging Nettle and Violet. Plants have stories that reconnect us to the Land and the rest of Nature. As our society becomes ever more disconnected, there is a revivalist movement flourishing like a rhizome. This ancient path of the forager reconnects us to the vital, to wildness, to creation, to what is in effect the very pulse of life itself. One of the most direct ways to experience this is to consume this wildness. Take it into our bodies, where like a sleeper agent, it lies dormant until you have eaten enough to change the structure of your blood, thereby changing your brain and how you relate to the non-human world. For it is this simple act. The act of taking wild food and medicine into our body, that in time becomes so transformative. Forage In Spring is not a harking back to some naive, romantic vision of how we might once have lived. Instead, these plants' stories are a way to help you sense into the future and understand our ecological function (as a species) within the world.

Covers forty eight wild edible and medicinal plants of Britain and Ireland.

Includes multiple full-colour photographs of each plant to help make identification easy.

I wrote this book to help you rediscover our forgotten plant heritage. To learn how to use wild plants as food and medicine. Knowledge that was once common to everyone.

Each individual plant profile includes:

• common name
• scientific name
• family
• an easy to understand botanical description
• multiple full colour photos of each plant
• when the plant flowers
• where it is found
• a historical summary
• which parts of the plant to use
• how the plant is used as food
• its nutritional profile
• its traditional folk medicine uses
• and finally, safety notes

This 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 identifi cations.

• Most trees are generously featured across double-page spreads;

• Full tree images along with diagnostic photos (bark, leaves, thorns, fl owers, 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.