The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia

ISBN-13: 9781402064302 / Angielski / Twarda / 2008 / 540 str.

Gerald E. Wickens; Pat Lowe

Opis

Although Alexander von Humboldt never saw a baobab, he wrote: Among organic creatures, this tree Dracaena draco (dragon tree)] is undoubtedly, together with the Adansonia or baobab of Senegal, one of the oldest inhabitants of our planet (Humboldt 1852). With their enormous size, distinctive and often grotesque appearance, and great age (measured perhaps in thousands of years), baobab trees attract the attention of botanists, amateurs, tourists and passers-by wherever they grow. Old specimens display highly individual, photogenic characteristics which endear them to local people, artists and photographers. European knowledge of the African baobab dates back to Renaissance times. I first became acquainted with the African baobab in 1952 while working in what was then Sokoto Province, Northern Nigeria. Later I worked in the former Rhodesias (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) and in the Sudan, and was able to further my studies. Although I have written about the African baobab, it was Pat Lowe who, in January 2000, persuaded me that we should pool our knowledge and ex- riences and write a book on all eight species of this outstanding genus. While I take full responsibility for the final text, I have taken advantage of her knowledge of baobabs in Africa, Madagascar and especially Australia, and of her constructive criticism of the text."

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"In this volume, Wickens and Lowe (both, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK) provide a very comprehensive, technical summary of the genus, including the current state of botanical understanding ... and the associated fauna and their use of the trees. ... It ends with 55 pages of references and both taxonomic and subjects indexes. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, research, and faculty audiences." (D. Dreyer, Choice, Vol. 46 (4), December, 2008)

"Baobabs are iconic trees of Africa, Madagascar and N.W. Australia ... . The book is divided into 15 chapters. In 'Historical background' all records are reviewed ... . This book is an invaluable resource of baobab knowledge." (Colin C. Walker, Bradleya, Vol. 27, 2009)

Spis treści

Preface; Foreword; Acknowledgements; Colour Plates; 1. Historical Background; 2. Famous Baobabs; 3. Folklore and Tradition; 4. Food and Fodder; 5. Human and Veterinary Medicine; 6. Other Uses of the Baobab; 7. Art and Iconography; 8. Baobab Biology; 9. Natural History; 10. Conservation; 11. Cultivation; 12. Taxonomy; 13. Distribution and Ecology; 14. Phytogeography; 15. Unfinished Business; Appendix 1. Vernacular Names; Appendix 2. Economics; Appendix 3. Nutrition; Appendix 4. Forest Mensuration; References; Taxonomic Indexes; Subject Index; Gazetteer

Blurb

This is the only comprehensive account of all eight species in the genus Adansonia. It describes the historical background from the late Roman period to the present. It covers the extraordinary variety of economic uses of baobabs, famous trees, folk traditions and mythology, art associations, life cycle, natural history, cultivation, conservation, distribution and ecology, and phytogeography. There are also appendices on vernacular names, gazetteer, economics, nutrition and forest mensuration.

This book fills a gap in the botanical literature. It deals with a genus that has fascinated and intrigued scientists and lay persons for centuries. It will appeal to scientists and academics as well as tropical horticulturalists, conservationists and general interest readers. It includes all the available scientific information about each of the eight species, and contains a good deal of original research on the history, ethnobotany and biology of the genus. There is even a chapter devoted to areas where further research is required.