Haworthia Update 2
Bruce Bayer continues to explore, study, think critically, and write; here is his latest compilation. 166 A4 pages, gloss art paper, thermal bound between two 250g A4 white card covers. Well over 500 photographs and maps, all of which are color except for a few archive and SEM photos. Photos are mainly 8 to an A4 page. 18 chapters cover a wide range of topics on these popular Southern African plants. Several topographical maps help illustrate the points Bruce makes. Since the publication of Haworthia Revisited Bruce Bayer has located and studied nearly 1000 new Haworthia populations. He uses this information to revise his own classification of haworthia and to comment on the taxonomy of others, who will not have had the benefits of this extensive field research as a basis for their work. Available from:
- Harry Mays
- Editor, Alsterworthia International
- Woodsleigh, Moss Lane, St Michaels on Wyre, Preston, PR3 0TY, UK
- hmays@freenetname.co.uk
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Grass Aloes in the South African Veld
Charles Craib and Umdaus Press have done it again! Grass Aloes in the South African Veld is a wonderful collection of field notes and species descriptions that makes for a wonderful read for those of us unable to get out into the veld. The watercolors by Gillian Condy and the pencil drawings by Murry Ralfe make this technical presentation a work of art as well. The book is large format, 23×32cm (9×12.5 inches) with 150+ pages, 59 paintings and drawings (although no photographs). In addition to a number of articles on habitat ecology 28 species are covered, each with a distribution map and a full page watercolor. The chapter Taxonomy and the sociology of botanical knowledge is a hoot. That is I had a lot of fun reading and thinking about what Craib has to say. He writes, "Families, genera and species are concepts defined by the purpose they serve in organizing and classifying knowledge. These concepts in botany need not be demonstrated empirically and their historical use in taxonomy is probably closest to an art form rather than a science." Oh?? So much debate, so much anxiety and ink spilt over classifications I had thought the battles were over scientific "truth". I guess I’m relieved that taxonomy is but a form of political science discourse. Well done Mr. Craib! Would you please give Haworthia a look?
Gerhard Marx
Artist Gerhard Marx
Watercolors painted by Gerhard Marx in 2003 of photos taken by Lawrence Loucka while on field trip in October 2002.
From the collection of David Martin.
South Africa - October 10, 2002
Wednesday 9 October: Cape Town, … Bredasdorp, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve Bredasdorp
reservation office Tel: +27 28 425 5020 Fax: +27 28 425 5030
Email: bredasdorp@capenature.co.za http://www.capenature.org.za/index.php?fSectionId=81
South Africa - October 8, 2002
Sunday 6 October: Calitzdorp - Welkom - Rietvlei - Rooibergpas - Vanwyksdorp - Sandkraal - Muiskraal - Riversdal - Kweekkraal
Kweekkraal Guest Farm Riversdale
Tel: ++27 28 713 2679 Cell: 082-458 8454
Email: info@kweekkraal.com
http://www.kweekkraal.com
Monday 7 October: Kweekkraal - Heidelberg - Swellendam - Bredasdorp - Napier - Caledon - Cape Town
The Commodore
Portswood Road, Waterfront Cape Town 8001
Tel: +27 (0) 21 415 1000 Fax: +27 (0) 21 415 1100/77
Email: commodore@legacyhotels.co.za
http://www.legacyhotel.co.za