JOHN MANNING is a botanist at the SA National Biodiversity Institute in Cape Town. He is a world authority on the Iris and Hyacinth families, has written many popular and scientific papers and magazine articles and is known for his flower illustrations and photographer. He has authored and co-authored a range of southern African wild flower guides. His awards include the Botanical Society of South Africa Marloth Medal (2005) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal Convocation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science, Industry and Technology (2006). COLIN PATERSON-JONES is a natural history photographer with a special interest in photographing southern Africa1s wild flowers, and their interaction in nature with birds, animals and insects. He has written and illustrated a number of books, and was awarded the Botanical Society of South Africa1s first Percy Sergeant Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of botanical photography.