The Genus Duvalia (Stapelieae): Stem-Succulents between the Cape and Arabia

Dr ULRICH MEVE’S book on Duvalia, one of the 30 genera comprising the group of stem-succulent Asclepiadaceae, is a piece of well-done research. The text is supported by excellent illustrations comprising full-page drawings and photo- graphs making this monograph a very practicable contribution for both profes- sional and amateur botanists. Dr MEVE’S species delimitations are mainly based on morphological, karyological and biogeographical studies, and therefore easy to follow. His taxonomic and well-established biogeographic conclusions have been supported by field observations in southern and eastern Africa. Without doubt, this book represents one of the best and most intensive monographs ever published for the Asclepiadaceae. The studies of Dr MEVE were initiated at my former chair of systematic botany in Kiel, the former work place of the renowned succulent plants specialist Dr H. JACOBSEN and the karyologist Prof. G. REEsE. Dr MEVE has been involved with Asclepiadaceae research for more than ten years, and his work is characterized by a meticulousness typical of him. He has made himself a name amongst colleagues as well as plant lovers by his remarkable number of scientific and popular publications, which are not restricted to succulent Asclepiadaceae.