Flowers of the Moon: Afroalpine Vegetation of the Rwenzori Mountains

5Continents, 2008. Hardcover. New. New oversized hardcover in matte casewraps. (11.25 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches) Pages are clean and free of marks or underlining. Includes a biography, illustrations, and photos. 120 pp.

Fast shipping in a secure book box mailer with tracking. A compelling photographic look at one of the few remaining areas on earth unaffected by human presence in ethereal, sometmes haunting, images.

The first sighting of the Rwenzori Mountain Range by non-Africans was made by Sir Henry Morton Stanley in 1876. Previous to his well-documented report, there were only rumours about these mountains on the border of present Uganda and the Congo, which feed the waters of the Nile. The Greek astronomer Ptolemy referred to them as Mountains of the Moon, a name still used today.
The Rwenzori are well known for their extravagant plants. Most stunning are the giant heathers, senecios, and lobelias.Though the flora is similar to that of other higher African mountain ranges, it is much more luxuriant, and is characterized by usually giant plants. This environment has an aesthetic and almost mystical effect on those who dare to intrude. In this book, photographer Sebastian Schutyser focuses on the aesthetic qualities of the Rwenzori Mountains in general, and of the Afroalpine vegetation in particular. By doing so, he also explores the boundaries of documentary photography. The use of infrared photography creates an unusual, pictorial result, enhancing the pristine beauty of these landscapes. The book also includes illustrations of the major plants of the area and maps of the region.