Ben-Erik van Wyk

The first thirty pages cover various aspects of the genre Aloe from cultivation, propagation, pest and diseases, to various uses under about ten different headings in all. The main part of the book covers the plants divided into categories according to growth habit or appearance. The book includes a list for Further Reading and an Index of Plants.

The main section devoted to the plants allocates a double page spread to each species, with a description on the left page which includes details of the plants distinguishing characteristics, habitat and distribution, conservation status, name derivation and any further notes; there is also a map showing its distribution. The right hand page offers colour photographs of the plant in habitat, usually three photographs, sometimes more, very occasionally less. In total there are over 400 colour photographs which show either the whole plant or details such as a close-up of flowers or leaf.

The Aloes of South Africa is a most comprehensive study, and seems to cover almost all the aloes one is likely to want to grow, in total 125 species.… (meer)