Author Description

This compilation of photographs, collections and expertise gathered over the past 25 years describes the miombo woodland, the threats it is facing and contains descriptions of 143 families, 611 genera and 1634 species found within the Mutinondo Wilderness Area of northern Zambia. It is a prime cornerstone to the appreciation of the impressive diversity of the wetter miombo woodland which is essential to publicise, particularly in the light of the ever increasing pressures and destruction being wrought on this woodland in Zambia and the sub region. By being written by a layperson (Lari Merrett), together with a leader in African dry lands plant taxonomy (Dr. Kaj Vollesen), it is a very useful information and identification resource for conservationists, botanists and nature lovers who want to learn more about the magnificent miombo. The book contains 1022 pages and is divided into two parts. In addition to the descriptions of the ferns and monocots, part 1 includes: a detailed Introduction by Dr. Paul Smith of the Botanic Garden Conservation Institute; an inspirationally charged Foreword by Noah Zimba of the Zambian Institute of Forestry; a comprehensive introduction to Mutinondo Wilderness and its botanical background, and a 51 page photographic key. Part 2 contains the descriptions of dicots. For ease of reference the complete scientific and common name indices for both parts are colour coded and included in the back of each. Species descriptions include habit, height, flower colour, key characteristics (underlined), distribution, habitat, altitude and flowering time. Of the 1634 species descriptions, 1618 are accompanied by 3 to 8 photographs each (of the balance, 9 descriptions have 2 photos each, 2 are with only one and 2 are lacking). The family and genera descriptions include only the key characteristics for each. Photos within the photographic key in part 1 are mostly arranged in colour order of distinctive flowers, fruit, leaves and thorns. These are all div