JOHN MANNING, a botanist at the SA National Biodiversity Institute in Cape Town, has written many scientific papers and popular articles, as well as a range of southern African wild-flower guides, including the best-selling Field Guide to Fynbos. He is also widely recognized as a talented botanical illustrator and wild-flower photographer. John has received a number of awards, including the Botanical Society of South Africa Marloth Medal (2005) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal Convocation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science, Industry and Technology (2006).