The flowering plants of Africa An analytical key to the genera of African phanerograms

"The Flowering Plants of Africa" by Franz Thonner is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work serves as an analytical key aimed at identifying the genera of phanerogamous plants across the African continent, including those that are indigenous, naturalized, or extensively cultivated. It is likely of great interest to botanists, colonists, and travelers seeking to enhance their understanding of African flora. At the start of the book, the author introduces the importance of a systematic approach to the flora of Africa, emphasizing the need for accessible identification tools for plant enthusiasts. The preface indicates that the work is a translation of a previously published German edition, and provides insights into the methodologies applied, including the use of visual characteristics for identification. Thonner also outlines the geographical categorization of African plants and acknowledges the contributions of other key botanical works that informed his analysis. Overall, this introductory section sets a comprehensive foundation for the detailed classification that follows. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Franz Thonner was an Austrian taxonomist and botanist from Vienna. In the spring of 1896, he made his first trip to the African interior to explore the botany and people in the northern part of the Congo Basin. Besides his comprehensive collection of plants, he embarked on a thorough ethnographic study of the region.