This book provides a beautifully illustrated overview of the landscapes, vegetation types, and plants of the five regions of the world that have a Mediterranean climate. This climate of mild, rainy winters and dry, warm summers is found in the Mediterranean Basin, the south-western part of Australia, the Cape region of South Africa, Central Chile, and California. The regions are widely separated and the flora of each is distinctive, having for the most part developed independently. Nevertheless, the plants share remarkably similar characteristics which allow them to survive in these unusual conditions. Peter Dallman's non-technical prose is complemented by numerous maps, tables, and figures, and the book is filled with high quality photographs of landscapes, plants, and flowers. With its detailed information on some of the world's most resilient plant life, this book will serve as an excellent naturalist's guide to these beautiful and unusual regions and as an invaluable reference for anyone interested in drought-resistant plants. Also, for travellers whose vacations focus on learning about and appreciating natural history, Dallman has included a chapter on planning trips to the five `Mediterranean' regions. "...an excellent introduction and guide to the unique vegetation of these five mediterranean regions."Journal of Plant Physiology, 1999"...richly illustrated book." "...This well written book can be recommended to plant biologists and ecologists and also addresses to geographers, horticulturists and all those interested to learn more on the plants in these five unusual climate regions." Journal of Plant Physiology, 1999"...This book is likely to be a very useful guide for any professional or amateur botanist setting off for any one of the five regions for the first time-and it is reasonably priced!'New Phytologist Peter Dallman is Professor of Paediatrics at the University of California. He is also Chairman of the Docent Council of The Strybing Arboretum and has travelled widely to study the plants of the Mediterranean regions. Plant Life in the World's Mediterranean Climates will be published by California University Press in conjunction with the California Native Plant Society, and Oxford University Press will publish the book outside North America.