Gauteng Smallholder November 2016 | Page 51

From page 48 along road sides and in other open spaces. This guide features nearly 600 of the most common and familiar of these and, using the same model of identification as FG Trees of Southern Africa, facilitates identification based on leaf and stem features. The book provides the country of origin for each species and offers key information on cultivation and uses. Each entry is supported by colour images that depict key features, and a shaded map that shows the plant's cold tolerance. Recommended price is R390. The Guide to the Aloes of South Africa T he Guide to the Aloes of South Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Gideon F Smith is in its third edition, showing how BOOKSHELF popular aloes have become in flowers and leaves, distriburecent years. tion maps and an easy-to-use identification system, dividing Also published by Briza the aloes into 12 groups Publications, this is a beautibased mainly on growth fully illustrated full-colour habit. guide that makes it easy for both the layperson and You will learn about mediciscientist to identify aloes nal, cosmetic and tonic use of found in the field and in aloes; conservation, cultivagardens. tion and propagation; gardening and landscaping This updated and expanded third edition reflects the latest with aloes; pests and scientific findings and includes diseases; and aloe hybrids and modern cultivars. detailed descriptions of all 155 South African species currently recognised by aloe experts, more than 400 colour photographs, showing habitat and growth form, as well as facebook.com/gautengsmallholder close-up photographs of 49 www.sasmallholder.co.za