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THE BOOK
South Africa boasts a wealth of Pelargonium species including those in the section Hoarea, geophytes with some of the most unusual and spectacular flowers in the genus.

Geophytic Pelargoniums, Field and Cultivation Studies of the Section Hoarea describes twenty-six species of Hoareas in detail. The book discusses their ecology and cultivation, with special attention being paid to the effect of droughts, fire and habitat alteration on the lives of these plants.

Hoareas are the least studied of the Pelargoniums. Some of them have only been described in the last decade and no research has been published on the ecology of Hoareas.

This book is the culmination of more than ten years of field observations by the author and includes his work on the cultivation of most of these species. The impact of man's activities on Hoarea populations is examined and a detailed discussion of the factors determining the conservation status of these plants is included.

Many Hoareas have beautiful foliage and flowers and are perfect for ornamental horticulture. Most are best propagated from seed. Drawing on his wealth of experience, the author discusses in depth the cultivation of each species.

The beauty of these Pelargoniums makes them outstanding subjects for fine botanical illustration. Gillian Condy's attractive and meticulous pen-and-ink drawings bring the text to life. Many of the Hoareas are featured in leaf and flower, and the development of various species from seedlings to young plants is illustrated. In addition, twelve exquisite paintings by the artist are reproduced in full colour. At the Inaugural Kirstenbosch Exhibition of Botanical Art in February 2000, Gillian was awarded a gold medal for an exhibit of six of these paintings.

Topics included:

• Habitat destruction, habitat degradation and habitat alteration
• The ecology of Hoareas
• Hoarea populations
• Hoarea species:
  • Their habitats and cultivation
  • Distribution (including a distribution map of each species)
  • The Growth Cycle
  • Conservation Status
  • Cultivation
  • Horticultural Potential
• Recently described Hoareas
• The undescribed species in Pelargonium section Hoarea
• Hoareas in the modern environment
• Index

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THE AUTHOR
Charles Craib has always been interested in Natural History. As head of the Natural History Society at St. Andrew College in Grahamstown, he spent much of his spare time in the veld studying birds and plants as well as making observations during the Society's field trips.

Charles attended the University of the Witwaterstrand in Johannesburg where he studied Law and Social Sciences before obtaining an Honours degree in Social Anthropology.

He went on to Cambridge University where he read for an M.Phil degree in Social Anthropology.

Charles has published in the field of botanical ecology both locally and abroad, and is now a full-time researcher in this field. His interests are wide, and he has conducted research on many bulbous, caudiciform and succulent plants. The Hoareas have been one of his abiding interests, resulting in the publication of his book.

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THE ARTIST
Gillian Condy is one of South Africa's finest and most versatile botanical artists. She was born in Kenya and spent her early childhood in Uganda where she developed her special love for Africa and the outdoors.

Gillian trained at Middlesex Polytechnic in London as a scientific illustrator (natural history) and obtained an MA from the Royal College of Art on project entitled "British Poisonous Plants".

She returned to Africa to Mochudi in Botswana with the International Voluntary Service and spent two memorable years living in a mud hut, before she moved to Lobatse. In 1983 she took up her present position as resident botanical artist with the National Botanical Institute in Pretoria. She has retained her ties with Botswana by designing 13 sets of postage stamps since 1982.