South Africa, together with Lesotho and Swaziland, encompasses habitats that range from montane to semidesert and fynbos to subtropical forest. This varied landscape is home to some 19,000 shrubs and herbs, a large number of which bear flowers of intricate and often stunning beauty. "Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa" covers more than 1,100 species of this flora, focusing on the most common, conspicuous and 'showy' plants around the region. In addition to easy-to-use keys that guide the user to the correct plant family, each species description, with common name/s where applicable, is accompanied by: a vivid photograph; a distribution map; and, an indication of flowering season. With the aid of this innovative guide, flower enthusiasts will now be able to accurately identify flowering plants that they encounter in any part of South Africa.

About the Author

JOHN MANNING, a botanist at the SA National Biodiversity Institute in Cape Town, has written many scientific papers and popular articles, as well as a range of southern African wild-flower guides, including the best-selling Field Guide to Fynbos. He is also widely recognised as a talented botanical illustrator and wild-flower photographer. John has received a number of awards, including 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).