The Cactus family

Edward F. Anderson

Timber Press, 2001 - Gardening - 776 pages

Only now, at the beginning of the new millennium, is there an up-to-date, comprehensive study of the cactus family. This long-awaited, monumental work covers the Cactaceae in an encyclopedic manner, addressing 125 genera and 1810 species. The most comprehensive single resource on the subject available today, it includes more than 1000 color photographs in addition to other illustrations. The introduction to each genus concentrates on the discovery of the cacti, and the improvements in our understanding of them, many of which result from relatively recent investigation. As stated in the foreword, "Cacti have a special fascination all their own. Miniature spiny dwarf cacti less than an inch in diameter are hidden in the arid regions of North and South America; the majestic columns of the giant saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea, dominate the deserts of Arizona. Yet all these cacti, given time, offer the surprising paradox of brilliant flowers, their delicacy a striking contrast to the strong spines that keep the viewer at a respectful distance." This remarkable diversity is fully described and illustrated in this authoritative encyclopedia, which is both scientifically accurate and readable. It also includes a chapter by Roger Brown on the cultivation of cacti, making the book even more useful to growers and hobbyists, as well as to taxonomists, ethnobotanists, and conservationists — indeed, anyone interested in succulent plants.

What people are saying

User Review -

Una obra MONUMENTAL, contiene información sobre cada una de las especies de la familia, descripción y distribución, ademas se acompaña con fotografías a todo color.

User Review -

The cactus family de edward anderson 2001 776 paginas es un libro muy importante para mi consulta. Tiene abundante informacion.

About the author

The late Edward F. Anderson was Senior Research Botanist at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona. He was past president of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study, a fellow of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, and a member of the Linnean Society, London. In addition, Anderson was professor emeritus, Whitman College, where he taught biology for 30 years.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Cactus family
• Author: Edward F. Anderson
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Timber Press, 2001
• ISBN: 0881924989, 9780881924985
• Length: 776 pages
• Subjects: Gardening / Techniques; Nature / Plants / General; Science / Life Sciences / Botany