Re: Aloe recommendations

Date:          Fri, 18 Jun 1999 14:30:31 -0400
From:          Daryl & Julie <leasefinn@earthlink.net>
To:            nsterman@mindsovermatter.com
Cc:            medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Subject:       Re: Aloe recommendations
Reply-to:      leasefinn@earthlink.net

Nan,

A book I have found extremely helpful in the selection and identification of
aloes is a Guide to the Aloes of South Africa, written by Ben-Erik van Wyk and
Gideon Smith. Published in 1996 by Briza Publications, Pretoria, South Africa.
The ISBN is 1 875093 04 4

I was able to obtain a copy through an inter-library loan.  I liked it so much
I have ordered a copy from Africana Books.  You can contact them at "Africana
Books" <bookman@new.co.za>

This user-friendly field guide identifies all 125 species of aloes endemic to
South Africa and gives clear descriptions and  photographs of each, along with
distribution maps.  Each species is photographed in its native habitat and
there is a close-up photgraph of the flowers.

The aloes are classified by the authors into ten groups based mainly on size
and growth habit  --beginning with tree aloes , followed by single-stemmed,
multi-stemmed, rambling, creeping, stemless, speckled, spotted, dwarf and
ending with grass aloes.
Additionally, there is an index to both scientific and common names as well as
a recommended list for further reading.  I'm sure you'll find several to suit
your needs.

Best,
Julie Finn
Sarasota, FL, USA

Dear Nan & Julie,

Couldn't agree more. That book is a gem. I have two vols. of Reynolds 
- ALOES OF SOUTH AFRICA  and ALOES of TROPICAL AFRICA and MADAGASCAR 
but while I enjoy reading through these massive tomes the smaller 
volume is a terrific handy reference. And you can read it in bed!

trevor n

-----------------
Trevor Nottle
Garden Writer, Historian,     
Lecturer and Consultant 
       
    'Walnut Hill'                          
     5 Walker St       
     Crafers SA 5152 
     AUSTRALIA

Phone: +618 83394210
Fax:   +618 83394210
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index