Book ID: 97381
Woodman, Jan
Nature revealed. An artist's view of the wildflowers of South Australia. 2008. col. illus. IX, 149 p. 4to. Paper bd.
South Australia's native forests, woodlands, shrublands and grasslandscontain a colourful diversity of wildflowers. The open understoreys andclearings harbour delicate orchids, fringe-lillies, fan-flowers andsundews while the more robust shrus of emu-bushes, grevilla, andwattle sport striking flowers. The author presents a personal view tothe South of Australia. Her text recounts first encounters, passions forparticular plants and places, and concerns for the diminishing andincreasingly spoiled natural vegetation. Her fine brushwork portrays indetail the beauty and diversity of its wildflowers. Plants that grownaturally together and flower at the same time are often painted together. A chapter is devoted to collages of orchids and mushrooms,her favourite groups. This work has a valuable scientific aspectresulting from interaction with botanists at the State Herbarium ofSouth Australia. Not only has this supported the accuracy of the authorspaintings, but she has also deposited plant specimens in the Herbarium which makes her work useful for ongoing taxonomic researchand also keeps her plant identifications up to date.