Plantsman in Nepal

First published in 1981 and out of print for several years, this new edition has been slightly expanded and lavishly illustrated. It is a visual delight as well as a riveting adventure story. In the autumn of 1971, Lancaster (Travels in China) joined a four-man expedition to the Upper Aran Valley of eastern Nepal for three months of collecting seeds of plants suitable for Western gardens. Here he gives a lively account of their travels, describing plants, birds, the terrain and the people they encountered. The expedition used Sherpa guides and local men and women as porters. Among their finds were a bizarre snowball plant and a rare golden edelweiss that has defied attempts at cultivation. Lancaster reports on the fate of some plants in English gardens and their locations. A new chapter details a return trip on which he led a tour for garden enthusiasts. For travel and natural history buffs. (Feb.)