Mesembs of the World: Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group. This item is unavailable.Mesembs of the World: Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group

Magic is not a too strong term for the appeal of this unique group of plants, the Mesembs. Radiant in flower and highly diverse in form and stature, this fascinating group includes plants as small as wheat grains or as big as a rhinoceros.

Their fruits are as complex as any in the floral kingdom or as simple as saltshakers. Mesembs have captured the imagination of botanists, horticulturalists and travelers for many centuries.

This beautifully produced book is a must for anyone who wants to experience the magic of mesembs. It includes the distribution and ecology, conservation, uses, cultivation, identification, genera and guide to the groups of mesembs. To facilitate easy identification, the genera are divided into groups exhibiting more or less similar external characters.

The aim of this book is to provide a well-illustrated, easy-to-read overview of all the 123 mesembs genera that are currently recognised. Illustrations are provided for a representative selection of species.

GIDEON SMITH is South Africa's most prolific author on succulent plants. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers, as well as popular works such as Gardening with Succulents, Cacti and Succulents and First Field Guide to Aloes. He is chief director for Biosystematics Research and Biodiversity Collections at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).