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The
New Cactus Lexicon
David Hunt |
The New Cactus Lexicon is actually two separate books that are sold as one.
The two book set attempts to describe and illustrate every known cactus species and subspecies.
One of the books contains the descriptions and is organized alphabetically by genus. Also there are two
separate indexes of synonyms provided. One is an alphabetical list of the current accepted name
and the synonyms beneath it. The other lists all synonyms alphabetical by genus and includes the current
accepted name next to it. Both of these are useful even if many hard-core enthusiasts do not accept
the classification scheme of the International Cactaceae Systematics Group which the Lexicon follows.
This book also employs a very large number of abbreviations in the descriptions which can take some
getting used to and makes reading descriptions a bit cumbersome.
The second part of this two book set is the picture "atlas" containing over 2500 images. To my knowledge
this is the most complete picture collection of the cactus family in one place. The goal of the authors
was to include images of every species of cactus and many of the subspecies. This extremely helpful
resource is not organized alphabetically like the text, but is grouped by similar characteristics. This
intentional layout was intended to make comparison of like genera easier while an index in the back makes
looking up the images by name a simple task.
The New Cactus Lexicon can serve the amature as well as the more advanced, however, the higher
cost of such a large work may deter the casual cactus enthusiast. In any case, this publication
attempts to describe the entire cactus family which makes it a useful general reference or a cross-reference
to be used with more specialized works.
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The
Cactus Family
Edward F. Anderson |
The Cactus Family is an excellent resource for
those looking for a treatment of the entire Cactus Family.
This 776 page hardcover is packed with information
on each individual species of known cacti in an easy-to-use,
encyclopedia-like format. Additional full-length comprehensive
chapters include:
-Distinctive features of Cacti
-Ethnobotany of Cacti
-Conservation of Cacti
-Cultivation of Cacti
-Classification of Cacti
Also in this book is an Index of Scientific Names that is
helpful for looking up the many synonyms of species that have been
reclassified. An Index of Common
Names, an Appendix with Maps of various regions where cacti
grow, and an Appendix of Botanic Gardens and Herbaria with
Significant Collections of Cacti further the usefulness of
this fantastic book.
The Cactus Family is now out of print, but used and new copies are still
out there at reasonable prices.
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Cacti of the Desert Southwest
Meg Quinn |
Also published in 2001, Meg Quinn
must have finished this book shortly after The Cactus Family
was released, since she based the scientific names in her book
Cacti of the Desert Southwest on those listed in The
Cactus Family. The nomenclature used in this book is therefore
up-to-date. I found this wonderfully well-organized book specific
to cacti of the southwest very practical as a field guide while
traveling through the deserts of the southwest. Large, full-color
photography coupled with specific information on the distribution/range
of each species makes identification a snap. Quinn's book is
an 88 page soft-cover that I would recommend to anyone who is
planning a visit to the Desert Southwest. |
Cacti of the Southwest
W. Hubert Earle |
This book is a little older; published
originally in 1963 and later updated in 1980, it specifically
covers cacti of the Southwest. I found the most helpful feature
of this book to be individual photos printed for each variety
within a specific species. Given the extremely variable
growth characteristics of Cacti, having these photos -although
black and white- makes identification of variations much easier.
A separate section of color photos was added when the book was
updated in 1980. The color photos primarily represent the flower
close-up for each species. Despite being over 20 years old,
this book can be as useful as any modern book when used in conjunction
with the Index to Scientific Names in The Cactus Family. |
70 Common Cacti
Pierre C. Fischer |
At approximately 8 bucks, 70 Common
Cacti is well worth the money. Published in 1989, it is
the cacti-specific book in a series of books produced by Southwest
Parks and Monuments Association. The pages aren't numbered and
I didn't bother counting, but it is approximately 80 pages.
There are lots of photos that are vary useful for identification
purposes. Distribution/Range information also proves helpful
along with non-technical descriptions that even beginners can
relate to. |
Cacti, The Illustrated Dictionary
Rod & Ken Preston-Mafham |
Have an unknown cacti potted on your
window sill? If so, you'll probably be able to identify it using
Cacti, The Illustrated Dictionary. This book is specific
to the identification of the globular cacti that are commonly
collected by enthusiasts with potted collections. Hundreds of
photos help simplify the identification of such genera as Echinocereus,
Mammillaria, Parodia, and many more. This book was first
published in 1991 and later revised in 1994. Out of 224 pages,
over 200 of them feature color photos of each the species as
well as photos of varieties. |
Christmas Cacti
A.J.S. McMillan & J.F. Horobin |
This book includes info on true Christmas Cacti,
of course, but its subtitle better describes the contents; The genus Schlumbergera
and its hybrids. A 160 page soft-cover published in 1995, Christmas Cacti is packed
with 120 color photos. The majority of these images are flower close-ups which aid
in identification of the various hybrids, but there are also several helpful line-drawings
as well as a few habitat/historical pictures. The text includes a background on the
Christmas (or Holiday) Cacti and species descriptions, cultivation information, and
lists of varieties/hybrids. McMillan and Horobin's Christmas Cacti is a valuable
resource for those interested in these popular epiphytic cacti.
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The Ferocacti of Baja California
Franziska & Richard Wolf |
This bilingual book bears the German title of
Die Ferokakteen der Baja California on the cover along with the English
translation. Even if this book were not written in both languages, it would be
worth the purchase for its photographs alone. Every species of ferocactus that
grows on the Baja California peninsula and surrounding islands is meticulously
described along with information on nomenclature and habitat. There are over 340
beautiful color photos that illustrate entire plants at various ages and of various
types. This book goes to great length to show the forms, subspecies, and other subdivisions
of each species. These images in combination with flower close-ups and even seed
photos ensure proper identification. While habitat shots, those of neighboring vegetation,
and even local people and animals give the feeling of being there. Finally there are
distribution maps to show the wild range of both species and/or subspecies. (Hardcover/240 pages/Published 2004)
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Rebutia
John Pilbeam |
The second in a series of books called "The
Cactus File Handbook" which specializes in specific cacti genera and some other
succulents. As with all books in this series, Rebutia by Pilbeam is packed
with just about everything you could want to know about the genus it describes. The book
starts with an overview of the genera; history, geography, cultivation, and taxonomy.
Next are the species and subspecies listed alphabetically and superbly described. Each
species/subspecies is represented with at least one picture (every one in flower) as
well as range maps showing distribution in the wild, lengthy descriptions, and field
collection data. Following this section is an index of "superfluous or dubious names and hybrids".
Altogether this soft-cover book is 160 pages with 139 color photos and was published in 1997.
Note: It does not contain those species that have been classified as Sulcorebutia.
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Copiapoa
Graham Charles |
This 80 page soft-cover 1998 publication by Graham Charles
is number 4 in "The Cactus File Handbook" series. Inside you will find the well
thought out layout typical of the other books in this series. That includes an
overall description of the genera with historical, distribution, and cultivation
information followed by the extensively described species and subspecies in alphabetical
order. As is typical of this series, there are many photos in both habitat and cultivation;
typically multiple shots for each specimen. There are 100 photos in all along with distribution
range maps for each species and variety.
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Mammillaria
John Pilbeam |
Due to the large number of species, Mammillaria plants are certainly
one of the most difficult of all cacti species to properly identify with the possible exception
of the other massive and poorly described genus - Opuntia. There is no question this number 6
book in "The Cactus File Handbook" series published in 1999 will make ID much easier. This particular
book differs from other books in the series being hardcover and larger; a total of 376 pages.
Pilbeam hits the genus head-on with full descriptions, distribution maps, and photos for each
species. There are 425 color photos in all; often more than one for each species and almost always
in flower. Despite the size of this work, Pilbeam's Mammillaria stays true to form
with an overview of the genus, an index of superfluous names/synonyms, and a list of field collection data.
This book is sure to hold a premium spot on the bookshelf of any Mammillaria enthusiast who owns a copy of it.
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The Native Cacti of California
Lymnon Benson
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For those who wish to explore California and view its wild
cacti, this book makes the task much easier. Within the 243
pages you will find general cacti biology information, identification
and classification information as it relates specifically
to the native species of California. Also geographical and
climatic information regarding California's different vegetative
zones are included. Some of this information may be outdated
as the book was first published in 1969, but the majority
of information is still very useful to those interested in
the subject. This book is packed with line drawings, color
plates, and black and white photos useful for identification
as well as 18 maps showing the distribution/native location
of each species. The Native Cacti of California is
a wonderful resource for locating the widely spread out species
in the large state of California.
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Cactus
Elisabeth Manke |
The photographs alone warrant the purchase of this cacti
specific book. All but 7 out of 160 pages are graced with
one or more fantastic pictures of show-quality specimens,
which are great for identification or merely for viewing pleasure.
The focus of this 1998 book is on the care and propagation
of cacti with general information on potting, seeding, cutting,
and grafting as well as a per-species water-temperature-soil
requirement listing. Approximately 50 species are described
in an easy-to-follow format. Although many will find the selection
sufficient, I find the only drawback of this book is that
it doesn't cover more species.
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The Illustrated Guide to Cacti
Rudolf Slaba |
This book was given to me as a gift
and for a time it was my only book on cacti. This book has 224
pages and has illustrations rather than photographs. Published
in 1992, this book's features cacti that are popularly grown
by the amateur cacti enthusiast. The combination of the use
of illustrations and selective coverage prevents this from being
one of the better books for identifying various species. However,
this book contains a wealth of information on growing and caring
for cacti. Subjects covered include: Repotting, Watering, Seeding,
Grafting, and Disease and Pest Control. This makes it an excellent
book for those looking for help learning how to grow cacti successfully. |
