News 2014 January
News
Schmelzer G. H. & A. Gurib-Fakim (eds), 2013. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Volume 11 (2) : Medicinal plants. Wageningen, PROTA-CTA. 384 p.
The second volume of PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) about medicinal plants has just been published, in English and French. 146 articles describe or mention 409 species. 894 species were already included in volume 1. It is the first time that such a synthesis is undertaken at the continent level. It covers as well what is of interest for the botanist as for the pharmacist.
This volume is added to the eight already published on useful plants. All data is put on line on the PROTA website, in English and French, which now constitutes the best on line encyclopedia about useful plants.
Unfortunately, this will be the last book published by PROTA, as the program has to stop due to lack of funding, at a time when people speak of sustainable agriculture or biodiversity. The need to rely on an exhaustive knowledge base about our plant resources will surely be felt later, but when ?
The books can be purchased through CTA or Earthprint.
24 January 2014
