Field guide to the rattans of Africa

Although palms are relatively poorly represented on the African continent, with only around 50 species, the products derived from palms nonetheless play a crucial role in the livelihoods of local people. This book is the first identification aid for the rattan palms of the entire continent. It aims to help field and development agency workers, conservationists and students to identify these widely used climbing palms to species level regardless of their experience or botanical expertise. All of the species are illustrated with botanical drawings and photographs. This detailed and richly illustrated book will be an invaluable resource for all with interests in the economic botany and taxonomy of the tropical forests of Africa. It describes all species of African rattan palms, provides keys and other tools to aid identification, and extensively illustrated with photographs, line drawings and maps