Etlingera of Sulawesi. 2012. 47 line-figs. 247 col. photogr. VIII, 278 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.

ETLINGERA is one of the largest genera in the ginger family andexhibits an amazing morphological diversity throughout its range from India, through Malesia and to the Pacific. The Indonesian island ofSulawesi is at the western boundary of Wallaceae and harbours a uniquerichness of plants and animals. Before this revision, only fourspecies of ETLINGERA were known to occur in Sulawesi. This revision treats 48 taxa including 46 new species, one new name, two newsubspecies, and six new combinations. Six names are placed in synonymyfor the first time. Only one species in Sulawesi is shared with theneighbouring island of Borneo on the other side of Wallace's Line, afact that underlines the importance of this barrier to the evolutionof Indo - Pacific organisms. The first chapters of the bookgive an introduction to Sulawesi and the genus ETLINGERA,including its taxonomic history, morphology, ecology, uses,and conservation. A key is provided to the identificationof the species. Most of them are described in detail andillustrated by 247 colour photographs of live plants and47 line drawings. Photographs of landscapes and habitatsare incuded as well as previously unpublished historicalphotographs in black and white. The fruits of severalspecies are illustrated, underling the importance of thischaracter for identification. The meanings of thescientific plant names are explained, the conservationstatus of each species is assessed, notes are added onecology, uses and history, and a distribution map isgiven.