Desert Date and its Relatives: a revision of the genus Balanites

The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) has been used in Egypt for over 4000 years as a valuable source of oil and medicines. Nine species and 11 infraspecific taxa are described plus one subspecies and two varieties for the first time. There are keys allowing identification of both fertile and vegetative material, 15 full-page line illustrations, 10 distribution maps, indexes to vernacular and scientific names and an extensive bibliography.