Product Description

Known as "lilies of the Nile" (though they're native to South Africa), the showy perennials in the genus Agapanthus have been avidly collected and grown since they were discovered by Dutch explorers in the 17th century. The few species in the genus have been hybridized intensively, yielding hundreds of interesting and dramatic cultivars, some in astonishing shades of blue and lavender. Despite their huge popularity among gardeners, however, there has never been a truly comprehensive book on the genus, an oversight that has finally been corrected by author Wim Snoeijer, working in concert with Holland’s Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society.

Snoeijer has invested eight years of research and scholarship in the preparation of this volume, which is intended to be the definitive account of Agapanthus in cultivation. He has gathered extensive references to every named cultivar and provides, where possible, detailed descriptions that include history, morphological details, color, even DNA analysis. Additional chapters on genetics (by Ben Zonneveld), cultivation, and taxonomy round out the work.

With keys and more than 100 color photos of beautiful specimens of Agapanthus as an aid to identification, this groundbreaking book is one no devotee of these plants can afford to be without.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1683768 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 372 pages

Review
"An extensively annotated list of specific and cultivar names ... Recommended."— G. P. DeWolf Jr., Choice, May 2005 (G. P. DeWolf Jr. Choice )

"Anyone picking up the book just to look at the photographs will be won over immediately to the variety and beauty of the plants."— William Grant, University of California at Santa Cruz Arboretum Bulletin, Winter 2004 (William Grant University of California at Santa Cruz Arboretum Bulletin )

"The author's years of research have produced this definitive book."—Leilani A. Hall, E-Streams, May 2005 (Leilani A. Hall E-Streams )

About the Author
Wim Snoeijer is a frequent contributor to Dendroflora, the official journal of the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society. He is particularly interested in the nomenclature and history of garden plants, including Clematis, Lonicera, and Agapanthus. He developed his interest in Agapanthus while working in the Division of Pharmacognosy, Leiden University. In addition to his close relationship with the Boskoop Society, he is a member of the Dutch Orangery Society and the International Clematis Society. He is currently employed as a clematis breeder.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Agapanthus rootstocks contain saponin. According to Hegnauer (1963, 1986) the sapogen was isolated, 4g from 1kg of rootstock. It is usually accompanied by yuccagenin. Saponin is also found in the seeds of A. caulescens and A. praecox.

Chewed leaves cause severe pain in the mouth. When leaves are crushed on the skin, the skin becomes irritated, sometimes for only a few minutes, sometimes longer, turning the skin red. Eyes are irritated by the cell sap.

Batten and Bokelmann (1966) give the best information about native uses for Agapanthus praecox: "The roots are much sought after by native herbalists. A young Xhosa bride always wears a necklace of the roots; if not a number of roots, then one or two added to a beaded necklace, as they are considered to promote an abundance of children and easy childbirth. A young mother with her first child constantly wears the necklace, in order that both mother and child may find health and happiness. Often, if necessary, the roots are ground up and used as medicine by the mother." They also refer to A. comptonii, whose root "is used by the Xhosa to make a paste for the treatment of swollen legs."

Pearse (1978) refers to some native and similar uses: "The Zulus make an infusion from the roots to sprinkle their yards and huts with, as a protection against thunderstorms. It is also used to phalaza [an old Zulu custom: an infusion of herbs or roots is mixed with hot or cold water; the Zulu drinks this, takes up a kneeling position, and tickles his throat to induce vomiting, which supposedly cleanses the stomach]. Sometimes a lotion is made from the flowers [and applied to] newlyborn babies, in the belief that it will make them strong. Xhosas use the roots to make a paste for the treatment of swollen legs."

The Bantash used Agapanthus for both medical and magic purposes (Doutt 1994). Maliehe (1997) refers to A. campanulatus as "a medicinal plant, usually sold at market stalls. The roots are crushed and administered to infants as a general tonic. It is also used to heal body rash. The same mixture is used to alleviate menstrual pains in women." Van Wyk (2000) refers to A. praecox thus: "In traditional medicine a decoction of the rhizome and roots, or water in which a plant was grown, are widely used by women before and after childbirth. Crude extracts of the plant have a proven effect on the contraction of the uterus wall."

The most recent publication on Agapanthus as a medical plant is probably by van Wyk, van Oudtshoorn, and Gericke (2000). They included several paragraphs on the medicinal uses, active ingredients, and pharmacological effects of the species, including preparation and dosage. The information is similar to what is offered in the aforementioned references, but they add that the saponin has a biological activity and biochemical effect, "including anti-flammatory, anti-oedema, antitussive, and immunoregulatory properties."

Customer Reviews

Better than I expected.
Well, I ordered this book and then discovered it was probably more scientific than I wanted, and then, ultimately, found that it was very well written, very informative, and actually just the information I needed as a plain-dirt gardener type who is crazy for agapanthus. I won't become a grower or hybridizer, but now I have a feast of information about some of my very favorite plants.