Namaqualand In Flower - Sima Eliovson
Namaqualand In Flower (First Softcover Edition, 1972)
An Exquisite Illustrated Account of the Spring Wonderland and Succulent Desert Flora of the Northwestern Cape
An Exquisite Illustrated Account of the Spring Wonderland and Succulent Desert Flora of the Northwestern Cape
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Namaqualand In Flower
- Author: Sima Eliovson
- Publisher: Macmillan South Africa, Johannesburg
- Publication Date: 1972
- ISBN-10: 0869540629 / ISBN-13: 9780869540626
- Edition Details: First Softcover Edition (Simultaneous release alongside the hardcover printing)
- Binding: Original publisher's premium glossy illustrated card wrappers (softcover format as issued).
- Physical Format: Tall Octavo (8vo), 128 pages. Complemented by a regional map and 56 detailed plates containing hundreds of vibrant, historic full-colour field photographs.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good (VG)
- Exterior / Wraps: The original illustrated card wrappers are flat, bright, and clean. Light, standard age-related shelf rubbing and minor edge wear are present along the borders, entirely consistent with careful handling of a vintage paper wrapper. The spine is firm, uncreased, and structurally sound.
- Interior: The text block is tight and robustly bound. The internal leaves, vivid color plates, and descriptive botanical indices are remarkably clean, clear, and white throughout—free from foxing, dog-ears, or owner inscriptions.
- The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued in a softcover format without a jacket)
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1972, Namaqualand In Flower is a definitive, beautifully produced botanical classic written by one of South Africa’s absolute pioneering authorities on horticulture. The book chronicles a series of dedicated seasonal expeditions into the arid, semi-desert landscapes of the Northwestern Cape, capturing the magical, world-famous annual phenomenon where a seemingly barren desert transforms into a breathtaking carpet of vibrant spring color.
Published in 1972, Namaqualand In Flower is a definitive, beautifully produced botanical classic written by one of South Africa’s absolute pioneering authorities on horticulture. The book chronicles a series of dedicated seasonal expeditions into the arid, semi-desert landscapes of the Northwestern Cape, capturing the magical, world-famous annual phenomenon where a seemingly barren desert transforms into a breathtaking carpet of vibrant spring color.
Sima Eliovson combines scientific accuracy with an engaging narrative style to deliver an illustrated account of Namaqualand's unique desert plants. The text captures the diverse plant life of the region, ranging from the dramatic annual fields of Namaqualand daisies to the fascinating, highly specialized succulent flora, vygies, and rare Pachypodium (Halfmens) trees. Enhanced by a vast collection of full-colour photographs taken by the author in the field, this volume provides critical historical insights into the ecology, geography, and cultivation possibilities of the region's flora. Long out of print, this remains a highly prized collectible work for botanists, succulent collectors, and lovers of Africana natural history.
Author Profile: Sima Eliovson
Sima Eliovson (1921–1990) was an internationally acclaimed South African horticulturist, landscape designer, author, and photographer who single-handedly revolutionized gardening literature in southern Africa. Over a prolific career spanning four decades, she authored over a dozen seminal volumes—including South African Wild Flowers for the Garden, Proteas for Pleasure, and The Complete Gardening Book—which played a critical role in popularizing the cultivation and preservation of indigenous South African flora. Eliovson was renowned for her tireless fieldwork, personally exploring remote wilderness areas to photograph and document native plants in their natural habitats. A respected member of numerous international botanical societies, her enduring legacy balances accessible public education with rigorous conservation advocacy, making her books highly sought-after staples for bibliophiles and nature lovers worldwide.
Sima Eliovson (1921–1990) was an internationally acclaimed South African horticulturist, landscape designer, author, and photographer who single-handedly revolutionized gardening literature in southern Africa. Over a prolific career spanning four decades, she authored over a dozen seminal volumes—including South African Wild Flowers for the Garden, Proteas for Pleasure, and The Complete Gardening Book—which played a critical role in popularizing the cultivation and preservation of indigenous South African flora. Eliovson was renowned for her tireless fieldwork, personally exploring remote wilderness areas to photograph and document native plants in their natural habitats. A respected member of numerous international botanical societies, her enduring legacy balances accessible public education with rigorous conservation advocacy, making her books highly sought-after staples for bibliophiles and nature lovers worldwide.
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