Primarily an art book containing stunning full-colour images of some of the most extraordinary indigenous trees in Southern and East Africa. Through photographs and text it conveys the magic of African trees and their vital interrelationship with the continent's people, soil, animals, birds and insects. Index, 176pp, SOUTH AFRICA. DOUBLE STOREY BOOKS.

Savannah habitats comprise an ecologically important but ultimately fragile ecosystem. They constitute one of the largest biomes on Earth, covering about twenty percent of the land surface, and can be simply described as tropical and subtropical grasslands with scattered bushes and trees. Savannahs form a rich mosaic of diverse ecosystems, and this study offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to their ecology. 336pp, UK. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.

Contents: Introduction, 1 Baobab biology, 2 Baobab geography, 3 Baobab life cycle, 4 Baobabs in Botswana, 5 Baobabs in Kenya, 6 Baobabs (boabs) in Australia, 7 Baobabs in Madagascar, 8 Baobab recipes. Bib, 96pp, SOUTH AFRICA. AARDVARK PRESS.

A useful reference work listing almost 9 000 plants known to be cultivated and colected in Southern Africa. Each entry includes place of origin of the plant, and its latin and common names. Index, notes, iii, 428pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA EDUCATION, 1919931171

A portrait of a unique and rich environment for fauna and flora in the Western Cape. Illustrated with colour drawings and photographs. 162pp, SOUTH AFRICA. DAVID PHILIP/NEW AFRICA BOOKS, 0864866445

The NyaeNyae area in the eastern part of the Tsumkwe Constituency holds an enormous variety of habitats, reflected in a rich and diverse flora. This botanical field guide provides concise descriptions of the distinctive features of 238 plants of the region and highlights their traditional uses. Illustrated with 450 colour photographs. Refs, 202pp, NAMIBIA. GAMSBERG MACMILLAN,.

2003 999160491X Paperback

With a foreword by Thomas Pakenham. An atmospheric look at some of the world's lesser known woods and forests. Includes the boababs of Madagascar, the Blue Cedar Forests of the Atlas, the Petrified Forest of Arizona and Sherwood Forest. 174pp, UK. WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON, 0297843524

Second edition noting three new species, a species believed to have been extinct rediscovered. The distribution ranges of some 30 per cent of the species have been extended. This represents a considerable addition to the knowledge about this family, which ranges from the robust, eye-catching king protea to the delicate blushing bride. Some 370 members of the Proteaceae with a colour photograph and distribution map for each species. 240pp, SOUTH AFRICA, FERNWOOD PRESS

An informative introduction explaining some of the principles and practices of plant geography; with comprehensive overviews of each Centre of Endemism, including name, history, boundaries, topography, climate, geology, soils, flora, evolutionary history, floristic links and conservation status; detailed full-colour maps of all the Centres of Endemism, up-to-date lists of succulents endemic or near-endemic to these Centres; numerous examples of non-succulent species endemic/near-endemic to each Centre, a discussion of the richness of the endemic flora, and descriptions of past floristic research on the Centres and opportunities for further investigations. 199pp. SOUTH AFRICA. UMDAUS PRESS PTY LTD, 1919766189

A beautifully photographed survey of the baobab, found in seven species. Five are found only in Madagascar, one in both Madagascar and twenty other African countries, the last is a native Australian. While a few have transplanted to the Caribbean, they are otherwise found nowhere else in the world. Pakenham is renowned for his books on trees, and this study is no exception, profiling these extraordinary trees, source of many myths and legends across the continent. Illustrated with b/w and colour photographs, Index, bib, 143pp, UK. WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON.

An easy to use volume which allows for identification of indigenous species of trees by the recreational tree spotter in the Kwazulu Natal region. Illustrated with colour drawings, photographs and maps. Index, diags, refs, 414pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA EDUCATION, 1874955514

Richly illustrated volume which looks at the portraiture of plants in South Africa. Includes a concise dictionary of South African Botanical Artists with over 200 entries. Index, bib, colour and b/w illus, 216pp, SOUTH AFRICA. FERNWOOD PRESS, 1874950547

A complete guide to the indigenous species of tree and shrub of the province of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park in South Africa. Illustrated with colour plates and line drawings of the leaf, each plant is also described for easy identification. Index, maps, taxonomic notes, refs, gloss, 703pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA EDUCATION, 191977730X

The third edition of this definitive work has been updated and expanded to include updated names, reclassification and the discovery of new species. The maps have also been revised to reflect changes in distribution. Other features include English and Afrikaans common names, an illustrated glossary and notes on medicinal or magical properties. This volume is also richly illustrated with colour photographs and b/w illustrations. Index, bib, gloss, 1212pp, SOUTH AFRICA. STRUIK, 1868723895

Covers all aspects of the ecology and botany of southern African vegetation, including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the evolution of vegetation patterns and important ecological themes. BNS, b/w illus, tables, 246 x 189mm, 649pp, UK. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 0521548012