Rica Erickson: A Naturalist’s Life

Western Australia is rightly famous for its unique plants and animals, and many of those who have been drawn, inexorably, to study them have also been remarkable people. Among the most notable of these in the 20th century is Rica Erickson, who was born on the East Goldfields in 1908 and has spent most of her life studying and writing about orchids, triggerplants, carnivorous plants, birds and insects. An accomplished botanical artist, she has also produced a wealth of detailed drawings and beautiful watercolor paintings to illustrate her work. In this book, Rica gives her own account of how she became interested in natural history, who guided her, and how she did her research. Through these pages the reader meets many other naturalists of the century as well as some who came before. The book is interspersed with reprints of some of Rica s writings from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Many of Ricaâ??s works remain standard references. This volume is their complement, and our insight into a remarkable life. pp. 144 illusts #1217