The Rhododendrons of Sabah Malaysian Borneo
By George Argent, Anthony Lamb & Anthea Phillipps – (2007)
280 pages; matt art paper, with 269 colour photographs, 34 water colour illustrations, 8 monochrome portraits, 48 monochrome micro-photos, 8 monochrome botanical plates, 2 colour maps, 4 landscape graphs & 2 tables.
Hard Cover: 26cm x 18.5cm.
ISBN: 983-812-111-8
Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd. in association with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The Rhododendron, are among the most popular of all plants with gardeners and nature enthusiasts no doubt due to their vast array of stunning flowers. Of the 900 odd species known to the genus, the bulk of which occur from the Himalayas’ to western China, Borneo is home to 55 species with 42 of them found in Sabah and 16 of those endemic to Sabah. In this current work, the authors have thoroughly researched and beautifully presented all of the species, subspecies and varieties known to Sabah.
The opening pages deal with history, species numbers, global distribution, morphology, floral and vegetative diversity, pollination and faunistic interaction, topography, parent rock material, plant communities, preferred soil types and a very detailed section on the different habitats and forest typesRhododendron are found growing with 2 keys to the species – the first for the 26 species found on Mt. Kinabalu, the second for all species of Sabah.
Each species has its scientific name, author when and where published, explanation of the species epithet, synonymous names, a very detailed plant and flower description, notes on ecology and habitat, distribution, cultivation and any miscellaneous observations.
There are many wonderful photographs and botanical water colour illustrations presented here which really brings the book to life. This is an excellent book and regional monographic treatment, presented in such a way anyone can understand it and easily make use of its lavish content and any horticulturalist, botanist, gardener and or naturalist will find this book very useful and highly informative.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Book