Alsterworthia International

(Haworthia, Gasteria, Aloe, related smaller genera & their nothogenera)

Editor: Harry Mays BSc, BA. (Hons).
(Member International Organisation for Succulent Plant Study, IOS)
Woodsleigh, Moss Lane, St Michaels on Wyre, Preston, PR3 0TY, UK.
E-mail: hmays@freenetname.co.uk

Alsterworthia International came into operation at the beginning of 2001, not only to foster the study, propagation, cultivation and conservation of the above genera, but also to promote and facilitate the publication of relevant information without favour. Haworthia, Gasteria, Aloe and their nothogenera (hybrid genera) are featured regularly; Astroloba, Bulbine, Bulbinella, Chortolirion, Poelnitzia etc (related genera) from time to time. Both species and cultivars are comprehensively covered.

This venture has been remarkably successful, no doubt because we are different and fill an obvious need. To aid further dispersal of the information we publish, there is no copyright on articles published by Alsterworthia International, provided authors have not reserved copyright to themselves, always provided that Alsterworthia International is acknowledged as the original publisher.

Benefits of Alsterworthia International membership

Alsterworthia International publications

Three journals a year – March, July and November, free to members. Each journal is currently a minimum of 28 A4 pages which are equivalent to a 56 page A5 publication. The entire journal is devoted to informative articles on a wide range of subjects fully illustrated with colour photographs. Cover page of issue 9:2 depicts Aloe arborescens ’Gold Rush’.

Annual journal index – is normally published in the last journal for the year.

Ten year index – published every 10 years at a nominal price.

Journal back issues – are always available as original printed copies - no photocopies, no second hand.

Special Issues – longer articles, frequently with many detailed colour photographs, on specific subjects. Discounted prices for members only.

Books – comprehensive coverage of specific subjects well illustrated with colour photographs which show details. Discounted prices for members only.

Other publishers’ publications

Selected books by other publishers are stocked and available to members at discount prices. Please see the Book List.

Seed list

By Joel Lodé – normally issued with the March journal or earlier by e-mail if e-mail addresses have been supplied.

Haworthia Study

Harry Mays is the World Agent for Haworthia Study, the Journal of the Japanese Haworthia Society – 16 A4 pages, two issues per year. Japanese with English summaries or complete English articles. Discount for members. Cover page of issue No. 21 depicts Haworthia ‘Lombard Star’.

Honorary Alsterworthia International Representatives

Alsterworthia International has 16 representatives in 14 countries. (See Subscriptions page for Subscription Fees, Methods of Payment and List of Representatives.)

The Cultivar Project

Designed to rationalise cultivar names in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP). This involves recording cultivar names, tracing the original publications for these names, checking that they are published in accordance with ICNCP, eliminate duplicate names and establishing names not validly published. This is time consuming work involving many people (members and non-members) world wide. The end products will be:

Lists of established cultivar names with references to the original publications.

Lists of cultivar names for which the original publications have not so far been traced.

A series of books illustrating cultivars with names established under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. Volume 1 is available – photographs show the cover and page 44 with cultivars of Bulbine frutescens. Alsterworthia International members and non-members assisting with the project will be entitled to Alsterworthia International cultivar books at cost price and to cultivar lists free of charge by file attached to e-mail. An official of the I.U.B.S. Commission for the Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants became aware of this project. Following correspondence, during which it was established that we are doing much of what an International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA) would have to do, arrangements have been made for all documentation to be deposited with the Royal Horticultural Society for safe keeping, so that it will be available as a starter pack for any International Cultivar Registration Authority appointed in the future by the Commission. There are no ICRAs for the genera we embrace. There was one for Aloe but it failed. All who support this project can, therefore, be assured that their efforts will not be wasted.

Alsterworthia International’s modus operandi

Alsterworthia International operates on a strictly non-profit basis. All the income received is spent to further our international objectives. No events are organised in, therefore no money is spent on, UK events.

No one, including authors, is remunerated, but, as authors can incur considerable costs in their research, a commission by way of a fixed sum per book sold can be included in the price of a book if an author requires it. Advice is sought as necessary from various authorities, but the editor accepts final responsibility for publication.

Costs are kept to a minimum. There are no time consuming meetings to incur expenses and delays. Almost all communications are electronic.

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