Guide to the aloes of South Africa [Hardcover]

Ben-Erik Van Wyk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996

Guide to the Aloes of South Africa is a beautifully illustrated full-color guide that makes it easy for both the layperson and scientist to identify aloes found in the field and in gardens. The book includes:

* Detailed species descriptions of all 125 aloes found in South Africa, with information on the plant s features, flowering period, habitat and distribution, conservation status, the origin of its scientific and common names, as well as general notes on cultivation and traditional uses of the plant.
* More than 400 color photographs, showing habitat and growth form, as well as close-up photographs of flowers and leaves, and distribution maps of all the species.
* An easy-to-use identification system based mainly on growth habit.
* Introductory chapters that focus on aloe-like plants; medicinal, cosmetic and tonic use of aloes; conservation; cultivation and propagation; gardening and landscaping with aloes; pests and diseases; and aloe hybrids.
* Indexes to scientific and common names, an illustrated glossary and further reading.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GIDEON SMITH is South Africa's most prolific author on succulent plants. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers, as well as popular works such as Gardening with Succulents, Cacti and Succulents and First Field Guide to Aloes. He is chief director for Biosystematics Research and Biodiversity Collections at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

BEN-ERIK VAN WYK is a professor of Botany at the University of Johannesburg with a research interest in systematic botany and plant utilization. He is the author of international scientific bestsellers such as Medicinal Plants of the World and Food Plants of the World. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 302 pages
• Publisher: Briza Publications; 1st edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1875093044
• ISBN-13: 978-1875093045
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,155,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a professor of botany at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, with research interests in plant classification, medicinal plants and ethnobotany. My main job is to publish the latest botanical discoveries of our research group in scientific journals. My after-hours hobby, however, is to take photographs of plants and to write colourful botanical books - each representing the end result of a personal journey of discovery that I wish to share with fellow plant enthusiasts. The aim is to provide a conceptualization of the subject and a scientifically accurate summary of the most important facts, presented in a practical, colourful and user-friendly way.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly outstanding, July 22, 2002

By 

Michael V. Newberry (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to the aloes of South Africa (Hardcover)

This is a truly outstanding book for South African Aloe enthusiasts of any level from beginner to expert. The authors recognized an obvious vacuum in the literature on growing, collecting, and conserving South African Aloes, and this work deftly bridges the gap between peer reviewed botanical journals and elementary field guides. The book brings together information on plant characteristics, distribution, habitat, cultivation, uses, name etymology, and endangered status. Each species description occupies 2 facing pages with textual content on the left and 1 or more excellent photos of plants in habitat on the right. The content, format, and style harmonize to make this book hard to lay down. It is well worth its modest ...price. Highly recommended.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book for the aloe person, January 16, 2002

By 

Bruce R. Evans (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to the aloes of South Africa (Hardcover)

A good book for both beginner and expert. It puts the aloes in 10 groups, from Tree Aloes to Grass Aloes with detailed desciptions of most aloes. It does not, however, have aloes from anywhere but South africa...but that is the only falt I can find with it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, March 19, 2011

By 

Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Guide to the Aloes of South Africa (Hardcover)

The first thirty pages cover various aspects of the genre Aloe from cultivation, propagation, pest and diseases, to various uses under about ten different headings in all. The main part of the book covers the plants divided into categories according to growth habit or appearance. The book includes a list for Further Reading and an Index of Plants.

The main section devoted to the plants allocates a double page spread to each species, with a description on the left page which includes details of the plants distinguishing characteristics, habitat and distribution, conservation status, name derivation and any further notes; there is also a map showing its distribution. The right hand page offers colour photographs of the plant in habitat, usually three photographs, sometimes more, very occasionally less. In total there are over 400 colour photographs which show either the whole plant or details such as a close-up of flowers or leaf.

The Aloes of South Africa is a most comprehensive study, and seems to cover almost all the aloes one is likely to want to grow, in total 125 species.