Fern-filled guide full of surprises

DID YOU know that there are 321 ferns in Southern Africa? That is the biggest surprise when opening this glorious book filled with images of every fern imaginable.

You do not normally associate these luxuriant plants with a dry climate region. You next discovers how practically the material in it is arranged for ease of use for the novice or amateur, making it simple to identify ferns found anywhere in southern Africa, be it SA, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana or Namibia.

Ferns of Southern Africa

is the most definitive book on ferns available for the region.

This comprehensive book dedicates two pages to each fern species, containing multiple photographs of the particular fern (including closeups) and line drawings if needed, and a detailed but clear description of each fern. There are also tables that highlight differences between similar-looking ferns; distribution maps based on years of intensive field work; and a glossary of botanical nomenclature.

In compiling this unique volume, the authors travelled exten- sively, even finding several new species of ferns during their journeys. Neil Crouch, Ronell Klopper, John Burrows and Sandra Burrows can indeed be regarded as plant hunters of the 21st century and their book is worthy of a place in every academic library throughout the world, as well as being suitable for amateur plant enthusiasts.

Ferns of Southern Africa: A Comprehensive Guide, by Neil Crouch et al, published by Struik Nature (an imprint of Random House Struik), 2011.

See www.randomstruik.co.za