BotShop - Books

This book will provide plant lovers with ample more reasons to get excited about Namibia's flora! Antje Burke has had a passion for plants since her early childhood in Germany's forests. She has since acquired a sound knowledge of the floras in her home country, the Mediterranean, the Negev Desert and southern Africa. She came to Namibia in 1988 and has, as a researcher, lecturer and environmental consultant, continued to feed her passion and knows the Namibian flora extremely well. This is an introduction to this flora and vegetation and a must-have for anyone interested in Namibia’s nature.

"If you want to obtain a broad understanding of Namibia and what makes it tick, this new Atlas is the book for you. It is an outstanding and comprehensive compendium about the country that offers a collection of maps, charts and images that illustrate aspects of aridity to zebras in Zambezi; annual averages and long- and short-term variations; and contrasts and convergences. Fresh and interesting topics are tackled, including our historical heritage and the meaning of place names, indigenous plant producs and wildlife migrations, and our happiness. Critically, attention has also been given to Namibia's marine environment, livelihoods and land, species diversity and habitat loss, resource economics and management human-wildlife conflict, and climate change, and much more." Roy Miller, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Namibia Nature Foundation

Common Names of Angolan Plants presents an updated and expanded catalogue of several thousand common names recorded for the indigenous and exotic floristic riches of Angola. Separate alphabetical lists of common names and accepted scientific names are provided and reference is made to the synonyms under which they were recorded. Where known, the languages are given throughout.

Common Names of Angolan Plants provides biodiversity specialists and researchers in a broad spectrum of scientific and other endeavors, linguists, students and other stakeholders with the basic information on the common names of Angolan plants that has been unavailable for a long time. It represents a further critically important step towards assembling the knowledge of the flora of the country into a single, modern, easily accessible and scientifically sound framework.

The book is 160 pages thick and of A5 size in full colour and printed on good quality, gloss paper. It describes 50 species, each with a colour illustrations and photographs. It also contains many line drawings. Medicinal and food uses are discussed in detail. Other relating facts about soil type, animals that feed on it, nutritional value, etc. are also provided. At the back of the book is a campfire quiz, ideal for the use of students. A detailed index provides easy reference.

Creative gardening with indigenous plants, now in its second edition, is an invaluable handbook for South African gardeners. In this comprehensive guide the authors set out to popularise the use of indigenous South African plants in gardens, parks, on roadsides and anywhere where previously exotic plants were preferred. This book covers more than 300 plants, all illustrated by stunning photographs in full colour showing the whole plant as well as selected features such as flowers, fruit, leaves and bark. The text comprises a description of each plant, its usages - including medicinal uses and snippets of folklore - and advice on cultivation. Introductory chapters cover topics such as propagating plants from seeds and cuttings, gardening in the different climate regions, and using indigenous plants to attract birds and insects to the garden. Taking a very practical approach, using symbols, distribution maps, plant size and flower colour, the authors lead the reader to the correct plant to choose for the application, whether this be tree, shrub, annual, perennial, climber or water-loving plant. This all-inclusive book is a must for gardeners, horticulturists, landscape designers and anyone involved in the South African nursery industry.

Damaraland Flora is the third book by Patricia Craven and Christine Marais that introduces interesting plants to travellers and Namibians in specific regions, like Spitzkoppe, Brandberg and Twyfelfontein.

The worldwide trend towards smaller houses and spaces and apartment type homes has inspired and demanded a new approach in gardening. This is due predominantly to the freedom of expression in the styling and use of outdoor spaces, the approach to hard landscaping and the use of plant material most suited to the environment, house or garden design and style.

The trend is to introduce hard landscaping and plant material natural to the local area, gravel as a substitute for lawn in small spaces, a sense of fun and the unexpected in the use of plants or accessories. This is what makes gardening a pleasure and one of the finest creative arts there is.

Neither plant nor animal, mushrooms constitute a unique group of organisms. They appear in a staggering variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and identifying them can be difficult. This compact, beautifully illustrated guide is the perfect tool for identification in the field. It features 200 of the most distinctive and conspicuous mushrooms and other fungi found in South Africa. Each species is presented with a clear description and several full-colour photographs to aid quick and accurate identification. Notes on distribution, ecology, size, edibility, toxicity and other interesting facts complete the entries. A brief introduction outlines the basic anatomy and biology of mushrooms and the vital role they play in sustaining all life. There are also guidelines to foraging and to photographing mushrooms, and a small selection of simple but delicious mushroom recipes. Packed with more than 850 photographs, this is both a practical guide and a beautiful book that will inspire nature lovers, foragers, epicureans and anyone curious about these extraordinary life forms. Sales points: The most comprehensive guide to mushrooms of the region to date: more than 200 species clearly and concisely described; richly supported with colour photographs; an essential guide for all nature lovers, foragers and foodies.

Southern Africa is the natural home of the richest and most diverse succulent flora in the world. These plants come in all shapes and sizes, from trees, such as the baobab at more than 20 m tall, to miniature soil huggers, just a few millimetres high, which mimic their pebble-desert surroundings.

This user-friendly field guide features more than 700 southern African succulents, focusing on the most interesting and commonly encountered species. An introduction to families and their key features will help readers identify the relevant group, and concise accounts describing the plants' diagnostic features will enable quick identification of species. Entries are well supported by colour photographs and distribution maps.

More than just an ID guide for plant lovers, this book will inspire gardeners and landscapers in search of low-maintenance, waterwise solutions for cultivation.

Namibia is endowed with a vast array of different trees and shrubs that contribute to the botanical richness and panoramic landscapes of the south-western part of Africa. This landmark publication, since first published in 2009, made knowledge of Namibia's woody plant species, which are important both economically and ecologically, far more accessible, and has been a trusted field companion to botanists and laymen alike. The second edition of this popular guide contains more than 1,000 photographs, of which over 400 are new to this edition.

Sasol First Field Guide to Aloes of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the aloes of the region.

Full-colour photographs, distribution maps and easy-to-read text will help the budding naturalist to identify the more common aloes found in southern African gardens and landscapes, discover where they occur, and learn about their unique features.

Sasol First Field Guide to Mushrooms of Southern Africa has been redesigned and fully revised to include new photographs and the most recent taxonomic changes.

With the help of full-colour photo graphs and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common mushroom species found in southern Africa, discover where they grow, learn about their unusual features and determine their edibility.

Southern Africa is the natural home of the richest and most diverse succulent flora in the world. These plants come in all shapes and sizes, from trees such as the baobab at more than 20 m tall, to miniature soil huggers, just a few millimetres high, which mimic their pebble-desert surroundings.

This user-friendly, richly illustrated field guide features more than 700 southern African succulents, focusing on the most interesting and commonly encountered species. An introduction to families and their key features will help readers identify the relevant plant group, while concise accounts describing the plants' diagnostic features, along with distribution maps, will enable quick ID of species.

More than just an ID guide for plant lovers, this book will inspire gardeners who are turning to indigenous, low-maintenance and waterwise plants for cultivation.

This scientifically accurate guide is aimed at assisting gardeners and horticulturalists to identify commonly used succulent and rockery species from all over the world.

Introductory chapters on waterwise gardening, uses, conservation, cultivation and propagation of succulents, together with a section on gardening with succulents, which gives useful hints.

The aim of Grasses of Namibia, by M. A. N. Müller, is to provide much-needed information on the grazeable vegetation of Namibia. Some 115 species were originally selected, supplemented by a further 30 in this revised version, and described.

Twenty-five per cent of southern African flora is succulent in nature, and a remarkable forty per cent of the world's succulent plants occur in South Africa. The book will highlight the diversity of succulents that occur in the region with special emphasis on the larger groups -mesems (vygies) and aloes. The book covers approximately 250 individual species, focusing on the most common and most interesting, and each entry features a photograph and distribution map.

Aloes are endemic to South Africa but are used in Australia because of their decorative shapes and dry-climate toughness. This book describes 125 southern species, giving information on each plant's distinguishing features, flowering period, habitat and distribution, with cultivation notes.

Southern Africa has at least 2,000 alien tree species being cultivated in the region. Such nonnative trees are predominantly associated with home gardens, parks and open spaces, and form a familiar part of our urban landscape. This guide features more than 580 of these species, logically arranged into 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features.

Each species account includes: full-color photographs of the plant's diagnostic parts; concise text describing key identification features, flowering time, duration, drought hardiness and practical uses of the plants; and maps showing cold tolerance for each plant. This handy guide should prove fascinating to all plant enthusiasts.

This book unravels the mysteries of identifying the 1 800 species of trees in southern Africa. The authors have categorised trees into 43 groups, using easy-to-observe characteristics such as leaf and berry or fruit size and shape, absence or presence of latex, or the presence or absence of thorns. In a logical series of steps, allied to the liberal use of diagrams, maps and images, the layperson or expert is able to quickly and easily isolate the main characteristics of a particular tree, and from there make a positive identification.

This is a practical easy-to-use guide for the identification of indigenous cycad species of South Africa. The guide was developed with the layman in mind for practical use in the field or garden. The 37 indigenous cycad species of South Africa are divided into six groups according to the leaflet shape, colour, width, margin and flexibility.

Lichens play a significant role in the ecosystem of the Namib Desert since they can absorb moisture from the frequent fogs to become physiologically active, a strategy which is unavailable for higher plants. Due to this water source, the desert is therefore less of an environmental problem for lichens, their colourful shrubby, foliose or crustose thalli decorating rocks, boulders, pebbles, twigs of shrubs and soil. In coastal regions, under more favourable conditions, as in the plains north of Swakopmund, they may cover huge areas, where the dense populations form the so-called 'lichen fields'.

Lichens of the Namib Desert provides information on lichens in general and more specifically on the lichen biota of the Namib Desert, with 75 species illustrated in colour, enabling the user to identify most of the lichens occurring there.

Making the most of Indigenous Trees is undoubtedly the most significant, useful and practical book ever to be published on this subject in South Africa.This third and revised edition contains 22 more tree species. The 163 tree species are alphabetically arranged according to the botanical name, illustrated with more than 850 photographs in full colour and discussed in detail.

The following information is provided: An introduction section on tree propagation by seed, cuttings and truncheons. A detailed species description, diagnostic features, natural distribution and habitat. The ecological role and utilisation by mammals, birds and insects. Economic value and use by people, including use in gardens and on the farm, as a source of food for humans and animals, fibre and medicine. Properties of the wood and its utilisation by people. Specific guidelines on propagation and cultivation of each species. A map indicating the distribution of each species. More than 850 carefully selected colour photographs complement and illustrate the text.

Veronica Roodt's all-in-one map & guide book covers the north-western region of Botswana, including the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Tsodilo Hills and Gcwihaba Caves, also known as Drotsky's Caves. Veronica Roodt has been sponsored by Shell Oil Botswana since 1993, which has allowed her to keep her maps and guides up-to-date.

This first edition includes 25 detailed maps with GPS co-ordinates, distances and estimated times of arrival (ETA) for each road, maps, contact details of nearby lodges as well as location of important shops.

This guide book features information on geology, ecology, history and people in the areas. It is packed with photos and descriptions of different animals: 53 mammals, 295 birds, 37 reptiles, frogs and fish, 110 insects, 60 trees and 80 flowers and grasses of Botswana.

Namibia’s nature parks feature some of the most epic landscapes, amazing wildlife and wonderful travel experiences on earth. This book will enhance those experiences.

Namibia Nature Parks: A personal guide to Namibia’s great wild space is just that – a personal guide by Helge Denker, whose deep knowledge, love and respect for this country and its people, wildlife and wild places shine through on of the book’s 400-odd pages. It’s the first comprehensive guide to the county’s parks in almost 30 years. It showcases 22 state-protected areas and two large private nature reserves, and offers an overview of the community conservation areas that maintain wildlife habitat between the parks.

People's Plants is a photographic guide to the useful plants of Southern Africa. Traditional and contemporary uses of more than 650 plants are described and illustrated in 20 chapters, each dealing with a specific category of plant use. More than 530 photographs.

An invaluable identification and reference guide to 300 of the more common tree species in the region, both native and naturalised. Features of the revised edition include: * Descriptive accounts highlighting the most important field identification characters. * Full-color photographs illustrating growth form, flowers, fruit and bark of the various species. * Up-to-date distribution maps showing the range of each species in southern Africa. * Information on habitat preference of each species and uses by man. * Reference to similar and closely related species and how they can be distinguished. * Introductory chapters on biomes and trees; fruit trees; furniture and craftwork; firewood; medicinal and poisonous trees; trees and animals; architecture of trees; identifying trees.

Die kuns om spesifieke plante naby mekaar te plant sodat hulle mekaar op een of ander manier bevoordeel,word al honderde jare beoefen. Plantmaats is plante wat mekaar help deurdat hulle ‘n reuk of chemikalieë afskei wat peste en plae afweer, of deurdat hulle voordelige insekte aanlok wat die omliggende plante bestuif of jag maak op skadelike insekte. Sommige plante stel weer voedingstowwe in die grond vry wat deur ander plante gebruik kan word.

Het jy geweet ….

Kappertjies wat saam met pampoene, skorsies en komkommers geplant word,verdryf kewers,plantluise en ander insekte wat die groente beskadig. En boonop is kappertjies eetbaar!

Wortels en preie is uitstekende plantpas maats. Preie vejaag die worelvlieg en die wortels jag weer die vlieë en motte wat uie en preie beskadig. Die verskillende reuke verwar die insekte en ontmoedig hulle so.

Aspersies keer dat aalwurms tamatieplante se wortels aanval.

Koljander verjaag insekte en word in ‘n natuurlike spuitstof teen die rooispinnekopmyt gebruik.

Knoffel verjaag plantluise en is veral ‘n goeie plantpasmaat vir rose.

Hierdie boek beskryf meer as 100 kruie, voedsel- en medisinale plante en hulle plantpasmaats, met raad oor hoe, wanneer en waar om hulle te plant, te oes en te gebruik. Verweef in die teks is resepte vir natuurlike bemestingstowwe en spuitmiddels en inligting oor die medisinale en huishoudelike gebruike van plante. Afsondelike afdelings dek nuttige onkruid, natuurlike spuitstowwe, deklae, bemestingstowwe en ander metodes om die grond te versterk.

Margaret Roberts was heel moontlik een van die eerste organiese boere in Suider-Afrika. Sy kweek al groente vandat sy sewe jaar oud is en gebruik net natuurlike bemesting-en spuitstowwe. In hierdie buitengewone boek tuinmaakervarings met die leser.

From the majestic yellowwoods of the Knysna forests to the strange halfmens of the Karoo and the delicately beautiful flowering fuchsia tree and wild gardenias, trees are one of our most valuable national treasures. Trees not only provide us with food, fodder, building material and shelter to man and beast against the extremes of the weather, they bring beauty and joy to our parks and gardens.

Remarkable Trees of South Africa gives the reader a fascinating glimpse into the world of trees – from the biggest to the tallest to the oldest trees in South Africa. Written in an easy, anecdotal style, the authors relate – in text and photographs – the historical, cultural and economical significance of South Africa's trees. The book also includes the authors’ selection of the Big Five Trees of South Africa, accounts of the major tree families as well as an overview of trees as monuments and in botanic gardens, parks and arboreta. Anyone with an interest in history and nature – and South African flora in particular – will find this book a compelling read.

A manual for the identification of S.A. wild figs by means of colour photographs in tabular form.

For anyone with an interest in botany or wondering what a plant name means, this well-written book will be an indispensable guide. The Illustrated Dictionary of Southern African Plant Names is aimed at keen gardeners, plant collectors, amateur and professional botanists, academics, and many other people who wish to have an answer to the question: ‘What do generic plant names mean?’ Without a reference book to guide you, the generic names are simply unexplained ‘names’ because they are written in botanical Latin which few people understand. This easy-to-use dictionary enables readers to find out how plants have got their names. It provides a wealth of information that opens up a new world of understanding for all plant lovers. The book has nearly 5 000 entries and will include approximately 400 beautiful full-colour photographs of plants taken by top botanical photographers. This not only gives life to the book but in many cases illustrates how these names relate to the plant. Pictures have been selected from the various regions of southern African and 24 of South Africa’s leading botanists contributed to this choice with an opening page (from A-Z). Readers who wish to know more about the lives of those individuals after whom plants were named such as Watsonia, Welwitschia and hundreds more, will be surprised but delighted to find this dictionary contains more than 900 short biographies together with some 600 images, thus conserving southern African botanical history. There are fascinating descriptions of these individuals’ contributions to science, their explorations, their achievements and tragedies. The book also provides information for those readers who want to know more about the genus, such as whether the genus is an invasive species or whether the genus name has been superseded and what the replacement name is.

• Written and Photographed by Helga Burger
• 132 Pages Soft Cover Coffee table Book with many beautiful illustrations
• Clear and concise pictures on seeds, flower, leaves and trees
• Perfect for driving from the Kavango to the Zambezi region
• Easy identification of 56 Indigenous Trees
• ISBN-13: 9789991695419

The Tree Atlas of Namibia presents the distribution and estimated abundance of over 400 species of woody plants in Namibia. It was the culmination of six years of data collection by volunteers with a keen interest in trees, under the auspices of the Namibian Tree Atlas Project. Information content includes distribution maps, height and habitat, and when each species has leaves, flowers or fruit. There are brief descriptions, line drawings of the leaves and flowers or fruit, as well as notes on general biology, uses and conservation concerns. Naturalised alien species are also included.

Palgrave's Trees of Southern Africa  features new simplified keys based on leaf characteristics, and incorporates updated names, reclassifications and new species. All known indigenous trees and many naturalised aliens occurring in southern Africa, south of the Zambezi-Cunene rivers, are included. 

Accompanying the descriptions are comprehensively revised maps reflecting up-to-date distribution, and drawings of a characteristic leaf and / or fruit. Other features incllude English and Afrikaans common names, notes on medicinal or magical properties and an illustrated glossary. 

A comprehensive, user-friendly guide, it will appeal to tree enthusiasts and professional botanists across the sub-continent.

South Africa is considered a critical centre of cycad diversity. Of the 37 cycad species occurring in South Arica, 29 species are endemic to the country, i.e. they occur nowhere else in the world. Five of South Africa’s cycad species are already extinct in the wild, almost 65% are likely to become extinct in the wild due to the collection of plants from the wild.

This guide is a practical easy-to-use guide using cones for the identification of indigenous cycad species of the genus Encephalartos. The guide was developed with the layman in mind for practical use in the field or garden. It is not intended as a scientific taxonomic publication on the indigenous cycad species.

It is still proving to be problematical to correctly identify cycads as a result of unnatural conditions and cross-pollinations. Plants growing in unnatural conditions would also on occasion present different typical characteristics, which made accurate identification difficult. By using cones when present it will overcome these difficulties regarding identification.

Clear photograph of each species general appearance, when male cones appear, pollen shedding occurs and also when female cones appear and disintegrated will assist with the identification.

In a celebration of Welwitschia in poem and picture, Joh Henschel presents one of the strangest plants on earth, enigma of the desert, icon of Namibia and Angola, renowned worldwide. This delightful compendium takes the reader through various facets of this plant's history, its life cycle, environment, its companions, and reflects the awe people have for this iconic plant. We have entered Welwitschia's World, and in doing so, stand in awe. Let's celebrate Welwitschia with this book.

Amateur and more seasoned tree-spotters will welcome this latest addition to the What's that? series. Accessible and straightforward, this title groups trees together into their broad families, based on the features that related species share. This allows readers to narrow down their choices to a few likely possibilities before tackling the detail of species identification.

The book offers: simple, authoritative text; side-bars with interesting additional information; multiple full-colour photographs, including of key diagnostic features, and an illustrated glossary of plant parts.

This helpful introduction should provide an invaluable entry point for anyone with an interest in the trees of the region.

This colourful book covers wild flowers of the southern Namib, which occur in the area of Lüderitz, Aus, Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund, i.e. Sperrgebiet and surroundings and the Namib sand sea, northwards to Sossusvlei. Focussing on the most commonly seen plant species, descriptions are organised according to main growth forms. These cover a selection of common shrubs, stem succulents, succulents, herbs, bulbs and grasses. The text is illustrated with 2 colour maps and line drawings. Well over 100 colour photographs illustrate the described plant species, providing overall appearance, flowers and close-ups.

This handy, easy-to-use guide book for tour guides, tourists and students details 322 plant species – all the common herbaceous (non-woody) plants of the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Makgadikgadi pans and the Kalahari.

The grasses are placed in their own section, but the rest of the book is arranged by flower colour. A separate 'quick reference' to water plants aids identification.

English, Setswana and Afrikaans common names are provided where available. The book details medicinal, food and other uses; also included are plant-related superstitions, toxicity, associated insects and other interesting facts. The uses are listed alphabetically at the back, serving as a kind of 'survival guide' in the bush.

This full colour photographic guide to wildflowers, written by a Namibian botanist, covers the central highlands of Namibia. The area concerned is scenically, geologically and topographically very diverse, providing many habitats and niches for plants and animals. It harbours a high plant diversity, including many endemic species. Over four hundred and fifty species are covered in Wildflowers of the Central Highlands of Namibia. The emphasis is on wildflowers, but a few of the most common ferns, grasses and shrubs have also been described. Wherever possible, photographs of the whole plant as well as close-ups of the flower and fruit have been included. A simple description of each plant and a brief overview of distribution, habitat and uses are provided, as well as some common names. Hints on how to tell confusing species apart are also offered. Wildflowers of the Central Highlands of Namibia is a must for anyone with an interest in the indigenous flora of Namibia.

This full-colour photographic guide, written by four Namibian botanists, covers the south-western corner or Namibia, mainly the southern Namib Desert (Sperrgebiet), although a number of common plant species that occur as far east as the Fish River have also been included. The area concerned is largely a relatively pristine wilderness that is geologically and topographically very diverse, providing many habitats and niches where unique organisms have evolved mechanisms that enable to survive in this inhospitable part of the subregion. It harbours a unique plant species composition that includes approximately 25% of the Namibian flora as a whole (over 1000 species), and encompasses numerous endemic and near-endemic species.