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.

The coastal guide of South Africa will take you on a magical journey along South Africa's coastline while exploring the beauties and hidden secrets of our natural heritage. The 3000km stretch of coastline in South Africa has contrasting climates and habitats that in turn accommodate an enormously rich and diverse array of plants and animals. The west coast has cold, nutrient-rich waters, kelp forests and low-growing, succulent scrub along the dunes, while on the east and north coasts conditions are more tropical with higher rainfall, warmer waters, greater marine diversity and tall, dense coastal forests. The coastal guide of South Africa is a basic guide to our coastline's biodiversity, from dune to ocean, developed in order to offer beach enthusiasts, holidaymakers and recreational anglers a simple guide for identifying the plants and animals most frequently or commonly seen or caught along South Africa's coastline. Although it does not cover all the species, it is a good introduction for those people who would like to begin to identify and understand some of the coastal life we come into contact with while using the beach. We also hope that this guide will create an awareness and appreciation of the diverse and contrasting biodiversity found on our rich and beautiful coast, including background information on tides, habitats and coastlines.

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.

This guide is for use in the field by botanists, nature lovers, eco-tourists, hikers and farmers, for on-the-spot identifications, making it unnecessary to collect specimens and in this way depleting the countryside of its beautiful natural heritage. Features of the title are: Full-colour illustrations and brief descriptions of 614 species of the most common flowering plants, succulents and shrublets found in the four northern provinces: Limpopo, North-West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. For quick and easy identification plants are placed in eight major categories of flower colour, namely white/cream-coloured; pink, yellow/orange, blue, mauve/purple, red, brown and green flowers. Each plant family is briefly introduced, where possible giving characters to distinguish them from each other. English and Afrikaans vernacular names are included where appropriate. A botanical glossary make botanical terms more comprehensible to the lay person.

Magic is not too strong a term for the appeal of this unique group of plants, the Mesembs. Radiant in flower and highly diverse in form and stature, this group includes plants as small as wheat grains or as big as a rhinoceros. Their fruits are as complex as any in the floral kingdom or as simple as saltshakers. Mesembs have captured the imagination of botanists, horticulturalists and travellers for many centuries. This title is a must for anyone who want to experience the magic of mesembs.

The African Baobab is a revised and expanded edition of a book originally published in 2007.

In this absorbing and inspired account of one of the continent’s oldest botanical wonders, Rupert Watson explores the life and times of the majestic baobab, an ancient tree that has outlasted every plant and animal around it. The narrative effortlessly blends natural history and personal observation, while also 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.

This new edition is aimed at nature lovers, environmentalists, botanical enthusiasts, travellers and anyone intrigued by the wonders of plants and the natural world.

Medicinal plants of the world is an scientifically accurate guide to the best-known and most important medicinal plants, including those of special commercial or historical interest. The title aims to conceptualise this rapidly expanding field of study and includes: Descriptions of more than 320 medicinal plants and their close relatives. Each entry gives a short summary with the following information: a description of the plant, the geographical origin, therapeutic category, historical and modern uses, active ingredients and pharmacological effects. More than 800 full-colour photographs that will assist in the identification of the plants and related or similar plants. Introductory chapters on various healing cultures of the world, general concepts, common ailments and their treatment with modern phytomedicines and with traditional remedies and the study of active compounds and their pharmacological effects. A quick guide and checklist of all the most important and well known medicinal plants of the world, listed according to scientific name but giving the common names, family name, region of origin, therapeutic category, and plant parts used.

The lavender book is a guide to the lavender types and varieties suitable to local conditions and is intended to get you outdoors and growing your own lavender without further ado. This title offers instruction on propagating, planting, nurturing and harvesting lavender. Also included in this collection of lavender wisdom is a treasure trove of original recipes and craft ideas. Recipes follow in a format and are interwoven with useful hints and tips. The use of lavender medicinally, in aromatherapy and as an insect repellant will appeal to the growing body of concerned people who aspire to a more natural organic way of life.

The ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material. This is the perfect pocket guide for nature enthusiasts keen to identify the wild flowers they might encounter on a walk along the coast or in the mountains, or a ramble through woodland, fields or wetlands. Authoritative text, beautiful photographs and detailed illustrations show the parts of the flower, stem, leaf and fruit, including both common and scientific names of each wild flower. Additionally, each entry features illustrations and description of appearance and colour, details on size, type of habitat, geographical range and flowering season, along with helpful information on herbal medicinal uses of each flower.

Lawrence Newcomb's system of identification on wild flowers is based on natural structural features that are easily visible to the untrained eye and enables amateurs and experts to identify almost any wildflower quickly and accurately.

This title brings together a collection of indigenous shrubs - not only established favourites but also many lesser-known species that will amaze the reader with their beauty and versatility. The title covers more than 100 species of indigenous shrubs in detail, with descriptive text and more than 200 full-colour photographs for easy identification. Detailed species accounts include a description of the plant, advice on how to propagate it from seed or cuttings and how to care for it in the garden. The author also shares fascinating snippets of information on the traditional uses of each plant and gives down-to-earth advice on how to use the plant in the garden to achieve the best effect. A range of icons offers an easy overview of the plant's size and shape, its cultivation requirements, uses, flower colour, flowering time and other special features. The introductory section includes advice on planning a garden, how to plant and care for shrubs, how to propagate shrubs form seed and cuttings as well as hints on gardening for birds and butterflies.

From the rocky dry Richtersveld in the west, through to the Kalahari sands and the spiky survivors of the arid Karoo, Sappi Tree Spotting Cape richly explores the world of trees and shrubs.

This volume includes proteas and the towering yellowwoods of the forests of the south and looks particularly at the integration of vegetation regions and the distribution of woody plants of this diverse area.

Aloes are the flagship plants of Africa, vividly defining the landscapes in which they occur.

In garden settings, these stately succulent plants capture the allure of the African savanna and serve as excellent focus plants around which other indigenous plants can be successfully grouped.

Aloes in Southern Africa explores the character and biology of African aloes, describing their habits, characteristic features and distribution in nature. It also details 58 aloe and related species across several vegetation zones.

Aloe cultivation and propagation is discussed too, providing insight into optimum growing conditions, gardening styles and plants that flourish in different regions.

A feature on medicinal, cosmetic and culinary uses reveals the special properties of these intriguing plants. Whether you are starting a garden, redeveloping one or simply looking to expand your knowledge of these fascinating succulents, Aloes in Southern Africa will prove an invaluable guide.

The spirit of nineteenth-century explorers lives on in British historian Thomas Pakenham, who has spent the last decade investigating the lives of the world's most dramatic trees, many of which are in danger of destruction. After the worldwide success of his previous work, Meetings with remarkable Trees – a stunning collection of 60 individual trees (and groups of trees) in Britain and Ireland chosen for their unusually strong personalities – he decided to hunt down and photograph another 60 remarkable trees scattered throughout the globe. Many of these trees were already famous – champions by girth, height, volume, or age – while others had never previously been caught by the camera. His five-year odyssey, sweating it out with a 30lb Linhof camera and tripod, took him to most of the temperate and many of the tropical regions of the world. Remarkable trees of the World is a magnificent new work that celebrates Thomas Pakenham’s gifts as a writer and a photographer. It will be treasured for generations by all those who marvel at the wonders of nature.

Poisonous plants of South Africa is a guide to the most commonly occurring poisonous plants in South Africa. The title includes: Detailed species descriptions of 135 poisonous plants. Each entry includes the following information: a description of the plant, the type of toxin, the potential toxicity of the plant and its importance in human or livestock poisoning, the poisonous ingredients and their pharmacological effects. Distribution maps for poisonous plants that occur naturally in the wild. More than 450 full-colour photographs that will assist in the identification of poisonous plants and plant parts. Introductory chapters on human and animal poisoning in South Africa, first aid treatment, methods of testing for toxicity, extraction and isolation of toxins and poisonous principles and their effects. Plant lists according to class of toxin and type of livestock poisoning as well as a useful checklist of poisonous plants and a glossary of medical terms.