Pocket Bushtucker Book by Peter Latz
Quick review: Another beautifully published, illustrated and presented book by Peter Latz. This is the field guide companion and is a compact glove box size for easy of carrying whilst in the field. The book is divided on form of the plant in question. Grass, Herb, Shrub, Tree, Vine & Mushroom are covered, one species per page with Common, Latin, Aboriginal names, form, habitat, uses, illustration, color photograph plates and reference pages to the main reference book Bushfires & Bushtucker.
Good Points: Beautufilly bound & published with logical and quick division of plants based on their form as found in the field. A useful field guide that integrates seamlessly with the main reference book through the use of reference page numbers listed in the field guide.
Not so Good Points: Cannot fault it in its application or subject matter. Specific to the region 600km radius of Alice Springs.
Overall: Excellent in its subject, a must have for anyone wanting to explore our desert areas with a mini Peter Latz in your pocket or glovebox. Works perfectly with the reference book and heartily recommended.
From the back cover:
Pocket Bushtucker - A field guide to the plants of Central Australia and their traditional uses.
The traditional resources of the desert peoples are still available and very much in use today, and expert Aboriginal knowledge is the basis for this cmopact guide to Central Australian plant foods and medicines. Features:
- Listings for more than 180 Central Australian Plant Species
- Traditional Aboriginal uses of all species
- Plant names in Central Austrlaian Aboriginal languages
WIth clear descriptions and illustrations of the commonest and most used Cantural Australian plants, Pocket Bushtucker will be an indispensable companion for travelers, hikers, fieldworkers and researchers.
Peter Latz is Senior Botanist at the Parks and Widlife Commission of the Northern Territory, Alice Springs.
