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Projects & Activities

List of Publications

  1. The quarterly journal of the Botanical Society, Veld & Flora, is a glossy colour-filled magazine that is sent to members and is not available in bookstores. The journal covers a wide variety of topics related to the flora of southern Africa, mainly, but occasionally also some feature articles about the flora of other parts of Africa. The regular items include Director's Notes, Branch Diaries, Conservation News, News and Events, Book Reviews, Letters to the Editor and Classified Advertisements. Feature articles are received from members and other contributors and the journal is ably edited by Caroline Voget.
     
    If you would like to contribute an article please consult the Veld & Flora author guidelines.pdf  (Adobe pdf, 66KB) and .​ If you would like to advertise in the Veld and Flora click this link, VF RATES 2011-2012.docVF RATES 2011-2012.doc.
     
  2. Wild Flower Guides
    The first Wild Flower Guide of the Botanical Society was published in spring (September) 1981. Since then nine further guides have been published, a number of which have been revised and reprinted more than once. These guides are regional in nature, covering mainly the western part South Africa, since other similar field guides have been published by other publishers on the eastern and northern parts.

    The guides are arranged systematically and illustrated either with colour photographs or with paintings. They each cover from 300 - 820 species of plants found in each of the respective regions.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 1 - Namaqualand
    This guide covers the region from the Orange River southwards to the Olifants River and eastwards from the sea to just east of Springbok, Gamoep and Kliprand and to the foot of the Bokkeveld Mountains and then to Vanrhynsdorp and Vredendal -- about 55 000 square kilometres. The recently revised (Third edition, First impression 2005) guide illustrates 450 species of plants, a small but representative sample of the rich flora of Namaqualand comprising many annuals, geophytes, succulents and shrubs.

    The recommended retail price is R250.00 (VAT incl.) and the book can be obtained from the Botanical Society Bookshop and other reputable book stores.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 2 - Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma & Eastern Little Karoo
    This guide covers the southern Cape coastal belt mountains and arid Karoo from Calitzdorp eastwards, roughly an area of 15 000 square kilometres. The guide is illustrated with paintings of 450 plant species, representing only about one-sixth of the species that occur in the region. The species illustrated are those one is most likely to encounter on walks and hikes in this scenically beautiful and botanically rich region.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 3 - Cape Peninsula.
    As the title suggests this guide covers the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape, an area of about 500 square kilometres but home to over 2600 plant species. The guide depicts 814 plant species from the original artwork by Mary Maytham Kidd.

    The Cape Peninsula is a scenically enchanting place and this book is a worthy companion when looking at the plants. The plates are arranged according to the plants most likely to be seen in any particular month of the year.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 4 - Transvaal Lowveld & Escarpment (including the Kruger National Park).
    This guide is not comprehensive but seeks to illustrate a wide cross-section of the species found in the Mpumalanga lowveld and escarpment, from herbaceous plants to shrubs and trees. The limitations of the guide allow only for the illustration of 330 species but this provides a window to the varied and rich flora of the region.

    The guide is out of print in English and is now only available with Afrikaans text.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 5 - Stellenbosch to Hermanus.
    The area covered by this guide extends more or less from Stellenbosch along the mountains hugging the coast eastwards to Hermanus. This is the heart of the plant species rich Cape Floral Kingdom and includes the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, world renowned for its high species diversity. The area covered has some exciting hiking trails through spectacular mountains with enchanting landscapes and plants.

    This is the new 'revised' edition (2005) and is a 'must have' companion on any walks in the mountains in this region. The first edition is out of print in English and is only available in Afrikaans. The new second 'revised' edition has been published only in English.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 6 - Karoo.
    The area covered by this field guide stretches from the Orange River to Oudtshoorn and from the west coast to Somerset East, an extensive semi-desert to desert region that can be divided into the winter-rainfall Karoo and summer-rainfall Karoo. Large parts of this vast region are used for livestock production, particularly sheep and goats. Plants are the backbone of the economy of the region and it is vital for the farmers to know their plants and the food value of those plants. This field guide is full of useful information in this regard and is valuable to the farmer and casual visitor alike.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 7 - West Coast.
    This guide extends from Cape Town northwards along the Cape West Coast. It is important for identifying the flora of the Darling area and is an ideal guide should you be visiting the West Coast National Park, particularly if you intend following the hiking trails from the environmental education centre at Geelbek.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 8 - Southern Overberg
    This guide covers the region from Caledon southwards to Bredasdorp and the Agulhas Plain. This is a floristically rich area where fynbos vegetation is found on acid sands and on limestone. Patches of Renosterveld, a vegetation type under threat are also found here and some of the species occuring are found in the guide.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 9 - Nieuwoudtville, Bokkeveld Plateau & Hantam
    This guide covers the region from the Bokkeveld Escarpment in the west to the Calvinia district in the north-east. However, emphasis is placed on the area around the town of Niewoudtville which is known as the 'bulb capital of the world'! The field guide provides good coverage of the flora but with the abounding species cannot hope to cover them all! This guide is a must for all those visiting the area in the spring.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 10 - Cederberg, Clanwilliam & Biedouw Valley
    This guide covers the famous Cederberg mountains and some of the drier valleys to the north of the range. These mountains and valleys have a rich flora that flowers prolifically in spring following good rains.

    The Cederberg is well-known for its wonderful hiking trails and this guide is a 'must-have' companion in the rucksack of any hiker visiting this land of astounding landscapes and flora. English and Afrikaans versions are available.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 11 - Eastern Cape
    The book originated as Wild Flowers of the Eastern Cape Province published in 1966. The colour plates have been re-mastered and enhanced using modern digital technology, the floral taxonomy updated and the text completely revised. The result is a very appealing book with superbly clear colour plates and graphic descriptions of the plants and their distribution ranges. It should be noted that many of the plant species depicted extend far beyond the borders of the present Eastern Cape Province so this book has wide appeal. It sets a high standard for botanical field guides in southern Africa but is very accessible to the non-botanist and is a 'must have' for anyone interested in identifying plants of the rich flora of the Eastern Cape.

    Wild Flower Guide No. 12 - Table Mountain National Park
    This guide covers the Cape Peninsula. It showcases some 850 species of wild flowers by means of descriptions and illustrations and is now the definitive field guide for the identification of one third of the indigenous wild flowers growing in the world-renowned Table Mountain National Park.


  3. Special Guides
    The guides are available at the Botanical Society Bookshop and other reputable booksellers. They may also be purchased online.

    Restios of the Fynbos
    This guide focuses on the Restionaceae, a family of reed- or rush-like plants that are found in South Africa and Australia. The book deals with the genera of these floristically important plants found in the Cape Floristic Region that have growing scientific and horticultural value.