Compositae In Natal

Compositae In Natal by Olive M. Hilliard is a comprehensive and authoritative botanical reference first published in 1977 by University of Natal Press in Pietermaritzburg. This substantial scholarly work (approximately 659 pages) constitutes a foundational treatment of the Compositae — also known as the Asteraceae or daisy family — occurring in the Natal region of South Africa. Compiled by renowned South African botanist Olive Mary Hilliard, a leading taxonomist specializing in regional flora and plant systematics, Compositae In Natal remains a definitive source for researchers, conservationists and serious students of botany interested in one of the largest and most ecologically significant flowering plant families in the province.

In Compositae In Natal, Hilliard provides detailed taxonomic descriptions, keys to identification, distributional data and systematic treatment for hundreds of species of daisies and related plants native to Natal and its varied habitats. The book is meticulously indexed and structured to support accurate species identification and comparative study, making it a vital tool for professional botanists, herbarium curators and ecological surveyors. With its rigorous approach to classification and nomenclature, Compositae In Natal offers clarity and precision on a group of plants that are both floristically diverse and ecologically integral to South African landscapes.

Beyond its value as a research reference, Compositae In Natal also contributes to understanding plant biodiversity and biogeography within KwaZulu‑Natal, documenting many taxa that are endemic to the region and informing both scientific inquiry and conservation planning. This title, grounded in decades of field work and herbarium study, stands as an enduring academic achievement in southern African botany.

Condition: Good – Damaged dust jacket, however book is in good condition with minor foxing and discoloration.