Desert Plants of Use and Charm from Southwestern Africa

Abstract

In September, 1986 a botanical survey was undertaken of South West Africa/Namibia (SWAIN) and adjacent arid parts of the Republic of South Africa (RSA). Primary emphasis was placed on the arid and semiarid regions with under 250 mm mean annual rainfall, in which both the summer-and winter-rainfall areas were visited. Observations were made on wild plants with known or potential value as new fruit or nut, vegetable, medicinal, or forage and fodder crops. Wild relatives of conventional crops for breeding programs were identified as well as several useful halophytes. New trees for agroforestry systems and new desert landscaping subjects were spotted, and last but not least, many desert plants of note were found for inclusion in living collections for purposes of botanical study and rapture.