This book takes readers on a journey through the diverse landscapes of southern Africa, showcasing the unique richness of its wild flowers along the way. Each chapter focuses on a specific region, highlighting the most beautiful, interesting and rare plants occurring there. The journey begins at the Zambezi River and then moves down the eastern part of the region through the well-watered 'land of plenty'. From here, the reader is taken through the splendours of the Cape fynbos and then northwards, to end in the parched 'thirstlands' of the west. Beautiful full-colour photographs by well-known botanical photographer Colin Paterson-Jones celebrate the flora of the region, while the authoritative text reveals insights into the plants themselves, their origins, interactions with other living organisms, and their often remarkable adaptation to sometimes hostile environments. Emphasis is given to the context in which the flowers grow; the changing vegetation and landscapes are featured throughout, displaying the extraordinary diversity within the region.

Author Biography

John Manning is a research botanist at the National Botanical Institute in Cape Town and is a world authority on the Iris and Hyacinth families. His diverse research interests include the evolution and pollination biology of South African plants. Dr Manning has written or co-authored over 100 popular and scientific papers and is a regular contributor to diverse natural history magazines. He has a particular interest in popularizing southern Africa's wild flowers and has become widely recognized as an illustrator and flower photographer. Colin Paterson-Jones is a professional natural history photographer and writer with a special interest in photographing southern Africa's wild flowers and their interaction in nature with birds, animals and insects.