Gasterias of South Africa-A Book Review

Gasterias of South Africa A new revision of a major succulent group was written by E.J. van Jaarsveld and illustrated by Ellaphie Ward~Hilhorst. This combination of a lead researcher on Gasterias and a world known illustrator results in an major book dealing with a small group of plants. Cactus and Succulent collectors worldwide find Gasterias to be an easy houseplant because they adapt well to the low-light, low-humidity conditions typically found indoors.

The author spent nine years studying specimens from various botanical gardens and in their native habitat, the south-eastern Cape of South Africa. This work documents a total of 16 species, 5 of which were verified as new species during this study. The book was written for both hobbyists and botanists. Part I discusses the people who have explored South Africa looking for Gasterias, provides the scientific definition of what a Gasteria is, and provides information on propagation and culture of this plant family. The information presented is clearly understood by the botanist, but the hobbyist will have to study the material and make use of the Glossary in order to understand the section on Gasteria taxonomy. However, many illustrations are used to enable the reader to understand what is being discussed.

The section on cultivation of Gasterias is particularly good. Various means of growing these plants are illustrated -- ranging from rock gardens, stone walls, and pockets in porous rocks to the traditional ways of growing succulents in dish gardens or as individual potted plants. The author also describes how to grow them from seed and how to vegetatively propagate them through offsets or leaf cuttings. He provides a brief, but thorough explanation of the process of creating hybrids and gives directions on how to proceed. Part I concludes with a discussion of insect pests and diseases affecting Gasterias.

Part II provides a complete taxonomy of Gasteria species complete with a key for identifying the 16 known species. Again, the glossary is essential in understanding this for the amateur grower although the professional will easily understand it. Following the key, detailed descriptions of the 16 species are given. Each species is illustrated by a photograph of it growing in its natural habitat and a watercolor showing at least the mature plant, the flower, and the seed capsule with seeds. Notes are given as to whether we are seeing the plant life-size or not. I found this information especially helpful because an amateur trying to identify a plant will not know how large the plant is at maturity.

The written information for each species tells you who and when the plant was discovered and often why a particular name was assigned it. A detailed description is given that requires frequent reference to the glossary. If desired, a plant collector could follow the distribution information to locate colonies of each species in the wild. Distinctive characteristics are identified to make it easier to tell which species you have and any known cultivars of the particular species are listed. The section on vouchers is, for the amateur reader, a distinct weakness in the book. I assume a botanist understands this but it would have been nice if a brief explanation of what the names and numbers mean had been given for the hobbyist.

The book includes several appendixes. The ones I found most valuable for me as a hobbyist are the one discussing cultural uses and native names for Gasterias, the list of synonyms and, of course, the glossary. I believe this book should be in the library of everyone collecting Gasterias. This is one of the few plant families where it may be possible for a collector to actually acquire a specimen of each species. That could be a lifetime goal for a hobbyist!

Order your copy of this book at Timber Press.