Recommended Literature

Literature on mesembryanthemaceae is fully available nowadays. This is mainly thanks to the gigantic effort of one man: Steven Hammer. He wrote 3 books and participated to several others on this topic and is one of the most important authors of the Mesemb Study Group Bulletin.

General information on succulents can be found on the webpages of the numberous cactus and succulent organisations. Some are nationally based, others are specialist groups. Also of interest are books on South African nature. Further I also include here articles I wrote for some bulletins.

Conophytum aff. pellucidum ssp. lilianum from Studers Pass

Books on Mesembs:

• "The Genus Conophytum, a conograph", Steven Hammer, Succulent Plant Publications, 1993
• "Dumpling and his wife, new views of the genus Conophytum ", Steven Hammer, EAE Creative Colour Ltd., 2002
• "Lithops", Nel, Hortors Ltd, 1946
• "Lithops", Sprechman, Dugdale, Cole, de Boer, Associated University Press, 1970
• "Lithops - Lebende Steine", Heine, Neumann, 1986
• "Lithops of SWA/Namibia", Dep. of agriculture and nature, 1987 (Lithops special in Madoqua, Journal of Nature conservation and Desert Research SWA)
• "Lithops, Flowering Stones", Cole, Acorn Books, 1988
• "Lithops, Treasures of the Veld", Steven Hammer, BCSS, 1999
• "The Gibbaeum Handbook", Nel, Tinsley & Co , 1953
• "Mesembrianthemen und Portulacaceen", Berger, Eugen Ulmer (Stuttgart), 1908
• "Mesembryanthema", Brown et al., L. Reeve & co, 1931
• "Succulent Plants", Jacobsen, Ernest Benn Ltd, 1935
• "The Cultivation of Mesembryanthemaceae", Schwantes, London - Blanford Press, 1952
• "Flowering Stones and Mid-day Flowers", Schwantes, London - Ernest Benn Limited, 1957
• "Handbook of Succulent Plants Vol. 3", Jacobsen, Blandford Press, 1960
• "Succulents in the veld", Rawe, Timmins, 1968
• "The Genera of the Mesembryanthemaceae", Herre, Tafelberg - Uitgewers Beperk Cape Town, 1971
• "Untersuchungen an Mesembryanthemaceen", Haas, J. Cramer, 1976
• "Das Sukkulenten Lexicon", Jacobsen, Gustav Fischer Verlag Stuttgart, 1981
• "Mesembs of the World", Smith et al., Briza Publications, 1998
• "Vyggies", Jaarsveld, de Villiers pienaars, Cactus & Co, 2000
• "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E", Hartmann, Springer, 2001
• "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z", Hartmann, Springer, 2002

Conophytum jarmilliae near Platbakkies

Articles I wrote:

• "Conophytum-bedenkingen", Erik and Tom Jacobs, Tijdschrift voor liefhebbers van Cactussen, Vetplanten, Kamerplanten, 1998, vol. 2 p 18-21, vol. 3 p 38-41, vol. 5 p 66-71.
• "Twice as fat", T. Jacobs, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, 2000, vol. 15.1 p 11-13.
• "Wild Guesses About New Conophytum Species", T. Jacobs, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, 2001, vol. 16.1 p 15.
• "Thoughts on Two Endangered Conophytum Species", T. Jacobs, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, 2001, vol. 16.1 p 18.
• "Conophytum reconditum", T. Jacobs, Cactussen en Vetplanten, 2001, vol 3, p 43-45.
• "Conophytum subterraneum, a distinctive new species from the north-eastern Richtersveld, South Africa", P. Desmet, T. Jacobs, T. Smale, Bradleya, 2001, vol. 19, p 15-18.
• "Growing Pears", T. Jacobs, T. Smale, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, submitted for publication.
• "Hybrids are more than just a cross…", T. Jacobs, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, submitted for publication.
• "Controversial Saxetana Thoughts", T. Jacobs, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, submitted for publication.
• "Life at the Institute", T. Jacobs, Mesemb Study Group Bulletin, submitted for publication.

Aloe dichotoma at Ratelpoort

Books on Other Succulents:

• "Adromischus", Pilbeam, Rodgerson, Tribble, The Cactus File, 1998
• "The Crassulaceae", Tölken, Flora of Southern Africa, vol. 14, 1985
• "Guide to the Aloes of South Africa", Van Wyk et all., Briza Publications, 1996
• "Anacampseros, Avonia, Grahamia", Rowley, BCSS, 1995

Books on Namaqualand, Richtersveld and South Africa

• "Richtersveld, the enchanted wilderness", Williamson, Umdaus Press, 2000

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