Illustrated with color and b&w photos and maps, this 8.25x11.25" botanical reference and identification guide covers those species most frequently grown and cultivated in the region, as well as species that are closely related to them. Species descriptions include the characteristics of the species and their distribution in southern Africa. Entries are in sections on succulent plant species from eight families: mesembryanthemaceae, portulacaceae, crassulaceae, geraniaceae, euphorbiaceae, passifloraceae, apocynaceae, and asphodelaceae. A glossary is included. The book was originally published in 1981 and revised in 2000. This third edition is expanded to take into account recent taxonomic advances and the discovery of new species, and now includes a bibliography. Court has lectured in plant taxonomy at Rhodes University, South Africa. Balkema is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)