The Bushman Candles

Penrock Publications, 2011. Very well illustrated throughout, folio, pp xiv, 194, very clean internally, grey cloth in excellent condition, a very good new copy in dustwrapper. [Limited edition of 999 copies - this one being number 406]. [This fabulous large format book, on what hobbyists still tend to call Sarcocaulons but taxonomically are now all included in Monsonia and the title "Bushman Candles" neatly sidesteps, is based around the extensive field knowledge of the two authors. For each of the 15 species there is a full description and diagnostic features, geographic distribution and habitat preference, history, life history, autecology, conservation status and synonyms. This is supplemented by a distribution map and many colour photos in habitat. And one of the crowning glories of the book are the paintings by Ellaphie Ward-Hillhorst for the Moffet 1979 Bothalia revision of the Genus Sarcocaulon which are reproduce life sized. If this wasn’t enough there are chapter on Bushman Candle Art, Reminiscences by Moffett, Ellaphie Ward-Hillhorst by Graham Duncan, Homelands by Bowen Boshier who provided his pencil drawings to show the landscape the plants grow in, Gerhard Marx on the botanical art he provided for the book, photographing in habitat by Connall Oosterbroek who provided many of the photos, and finally their culture. This is an exceptional book, both on the quality and range of its contents as well as presentation. Even if you are not very interested in Bushman Candles the information on Southern African habitats and the botanical art are exceptional. Those who have been waiting a long time for it to be published won’t be disappointed by the end result!]. First Edition. Cloth. New/New. Illus. by Ellaphie Ward-Hilhorst & Gerhard Marx.