Wildflowers of the Waterberg (Inscribed & Signed by Warwick Tarboton)

Wildflowers of the Waterberg (2021) is a comprehensive and richly illustrated hardcover field guide showcasing the diverse flora of the Waterberg region in northern South Africa. Authored by Lyn Wadley and a team of co-authors, the book provides detailed accounts of 661 wildflower species native to this area. It contains over 2,000 photographs alongside more than 100 line drawings, offering clear visual aids to help with plant identification. The species are organized by plant families arranged phylogenetically, starting from primitive plants to the most recently evolved.

The guide includes a quick-reference section that groups flowers by color to facilitate easier recognition in the field. Additionally, it features a comprehensive index of scientific and common names, and a checklist of species housed in the SANBI Pretoria herbarium. Family descriptions and a glossary further enhance its usefulness as a reference.

This 320-page book is printed on high-quality coated paper and bound in a durable hardcover, making it suitable for field use. Generous sponsorship from the Mapula Trust helped keep the price affordable, aiming to raise awareness of the Waterberg’s remarkable biodiversity. While the hardcover edition has sold out, a free PDF version is available for download from the Waterberg Bioquest website.

This guide is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in exploring and identifying the rich variety of wildflowers found in the Waterberg region.