Field Guide to the Amaryllis Family of Southern Africa and Surrounding Territories

Book excerpt: The Amaryllidaceae family is mainly distributed in warm temperate and tropical parts of the world and has approximately 75 genera and 1,600 species. This field guide follows hot on the heels of The Amaryllidaceae of Southern Africa (published in 2016), and the addition of 560 photographs and several new paintings in this field guide makes for an even more effective guide for identification in the field. Author Graham Duncan provides a botanical description for each species, along with synonyms, brief history, flowering period, similar species, life cycle, distribution, habitat, medicinal/poisonous properties, pollination, cultivation, and conservation status. Maps accompany the text, along with colour photographs and botanical paintings.This superb field guide will be treasured for years to come.