Page 16 - The Villager September 2021
P. 16
Book Review
SoutH aFriCan SpeCtaCular
BY JAMeS CLARke
nother exquisite volume has Many are found only in remote and
been added to South Africa’s difficult spots. Such an example is at
Amushrooming array of natural a remote site in Mpumalanga where
history books. This latest, Saunders’ Field a rare species grows and to which the
Guide to Gladioli of South Africa, is a 400- Saunders climbed six times yet still
page, high quality volume dedicated failed to find it in flower. Many species
to this country’s unrivalled variety of a flower only after a veld fire, or only
certain flower – the gladiolus. The genus when a certain amount of rain occurs
first captivated the world of botany in at a critical time.
the mid-1600s when Europe’s first plant In addition to the hundreds of
hunters began combing the world for photographs, illustrations and botanical
plants that would interest science and information, the book carries some
wow gardeners. excellent introductory contributions by
As long ago as the beginning of the world-renowned plant hunters.
1700s, gladioli from southern Africa were Their book was published
being introduced into many European posthumously, for the couple was
gardens and botanical collections, The profusely illustrated book is a abducted and murdered in KZN in 2018.
especially in Holland and Britain. monument to a fascinating couple Part of the book’s fascination is to see
There are today at least 270 known – Rod and Rachel Saunders who set the original native plants and compare
species of them in the world – 166 are out, years ago, to photograph every them with the ‘glads’ we have today
found in South Africa. species of gladioli in South Africa. after four centuries of hybridisation.
Rod and Rachel Saunders photographed every species of gladioli in South Africa Gladiolus debilis, Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladioli of South Africa, page 315
Gladiolus microcarpus, Saunders’ Field Guide Gladiolus delpierrei, Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladiolus ornatus Spear shaped, Saunders’ Field
to Gladioli of South Africa, page 64 Gladioli of South Africa, page 354 Guide to Gladioli of South Africa, page 321
14 • Issue 9 2021 • The Villager
