Book Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta

This book is 220 pages thick and consists of 62 color-illustrated tree and shrub species with numerous line drawings of plant species, birds, animals etc. The author lived in the Okavango Delta for 15 years and she has worked closely with the local tribes to collect data on the uses. There is an illustration of each tree or shrub mentioned as wells as separate drawings of the leaf, flower and fruit. The sixty-two plants chosen include all the common, most useful and most noticeable plants in the area. Most of the plants described in this book occur commonly elsewhere in southern Africa as well, especially in Namibia, Zimbabwe and the northern part of South Africa. Although there is a section on the description of leaves, flowers, fruit etc., the author uses a holistic approach in the wider description of the plant. Each plant is described within its habitat and ecological niche soil preference, habitat preference, the fauna associated with it, the animals, birds and insects that feed on it, medicinal and food values to humans, superstitious beliefs and there is even a short description on propagation. Additionally, there are fifty information boxes which provide information on a variety of related subjects ranging from How to create fire by friction, How to make palm wine, Do animals get drunk from Marula fruits?, Poisonous snakes of Botswana, Ringworm disease etc. At the back of the book is a campfire quiz, providing questions and answers on information provided in the book. The quiz is in three sections, each on a different level of advancement.