Plant Resources of Tropical Africa

This series is an output of the PROTA foundation which seeks to improve understanding and information on the plant resources of tropical Africa. This series is a multivolume handbook, similar in format and purpose to the well-known PROSEA (plant resources of South-East Asia) project. The PROTA handbook is due to be published in 16 volumes (from 2004 onwards), covering the 7000 of the approximately 30 000 higher plant species that are used by man. The 16 volumes will be based around the principal ‘commodity groups’.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 1: Cereals and Pulses PROTA 1 deals with the cereals, pseudo-cereals and pulses of Tropical Africa. 82 ‘primary use’ cereals and pulses are described in 73 review articles. Many of the articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and a line drawing of the habit.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 2: Vegetables PROTA 2 deals with the vegetables of Tropical Africa. 350 ‘primary use’ vegetables are described in 275 review articles. Many of the articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and a line drawing of the habit.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 3: Dyes and Tannins PROTA 3 deals with the dyes and tannins of Tropical Africa. 116 ‘primary use’ dyes and tannins are described in 73 review articles. Many of the articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and a line drawing of the habit.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 4: Ornamentals Not yet published 

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 5: Forages Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 6: Fruits Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 7, Part 1: Timbers 1 PROTA 7 deals with the timbers of Tropical Africa. Because the group is very large, it is subdivided into 2 volumes. In PROTA 7(1), 511 ‘Primary use’ timbers belonging to a selection of 25 botanical families, are described in 280 review articles. Many of the articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and a line drawing of the habit.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 7, Part 2: Timbers 2 PROTA 7 deals with the timbers of Tropical Africa. Because the group is very large, it has been subdivided into 2 volumes. In PROTA 7(1) 511 ‘primary use’ timbers, belonging to a selection of 25 botanical families, were described in 280 review articles (2008). This volume, PROTA 7(2), describes 693 ‘primary use’ timbers in 314 review articles. All articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and many with a line drawing of the habit.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 8: Carbohydrates
Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 9: Auxiliary Plants
Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 10: Fuel Plants
Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 11/1: Medicinal Plants 1
PROTA 11 deals with the medicinal plants of Tropical Africa. Because the group is very large, it will be subdivided into 4 volumes. In PROTA 11(1) 894 ‘primary use’ medicinal plants, belonging to a selection of 26 botanical families, are described in 406 review articles. Many of the articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and a line drawing of the habit.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 12: Spices and Condiments
Not yet published 

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 13: Essential Oils and Exudates
Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 14: Vegetable Oils

Deals with the plants of Tropical Africa yielding vegetable oils or fats. PROTA’s database ‘SPECIESLIST’ presents 249 species used as such, but only 65 are ‘primary use’ vegetable oil plants, qualifying for treatment in this volume. The other 184 species have been listed as ‘Vegetable oil plants with other primary use’ and referred to other Handbook volumes. The 65 ‘primary use’ vegetable oils are described in 48 review articles, implying that 17 species have no separate article due to lack of information; they are only mentioned in the articles of related species.

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 15: Stimulants

Not yet published

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, Volume 16: Fibres

PROTA 16 deals with the fibres of Tropical Africa. PROTA’s database ‘SPECIESLIST’ presents 1420 species used as such. 515 among them are ‘primary use’ fibres qualifying for treatment in this volume, the other 905 species have been listed as ‘Fibres with other primary use’ and referred to other Handbook volumes. The 515 ‘primary use’ fibres are described in 248 review articles, implying that 267 species are briefly mentioned and described in the articles of more important related species; they have no separate article due to lack of information