By Doreen Court


Man, I’ve been waiting for this book. I missed the first edition in 1981 because I was then an impecunious 2nd year horticulture student (and I tell you this only so that I can say I’ve used the word ‘impecunious’ at least once in my life). I missed it when it was re-published in 2000 because I was asleep.

But boy, now that it’s here, on my desk, in glorious Technicolour (it’s got 600 photographs) - I can’t miss it any more.

It’s a big, bold, hardcover 336-page book from the wonderful team at Struik Nature, and it bears their stamp: professional and well put together, it’s the kind of book that’ll last a lifetime (especially as it’s the kind of book that’ll stay at home, rather than go out into the field with you - it’s a bit heavy for that).

Having got it at last, I spent many happy hours paging through, backwards and forwards, identifying (at last) so many of the plants I’ve seen on my rambles.

This is a challenging and difficult group of plants - which is probably why the book doesn’t have an identification key - but it’s also a fascinating one, so, as long as you’re not in a hurry, finding what you want (if you’re on an identification mission) is a pleasant journey indeed.

My one gripe with Succulent Flora is that the plants’ common names aren’t here - and this is a pity because they root (pardon the expression) them in our culture.  Although, to be sure, to really appreciate their cultural significance, you’d need to have information about their medicinal and other uses, too - and that would probably double the size of the book. (Still, not a bad idea for future editions, ay?)

Every plant lover and every guest library needs Doreen Court’s ‘Succulent Flora of Southern Africa’ - and it’s available here.