It includes a full description of each plant, along with details of habitat, distribution, classification, cultivation, pests and diseases, and general information about the plant in cultivation, along with an invaluable reference list of synonymous names. In this book the author, John Pilbeam, does not attempt to evaluate too stridently the validity of all of the new species and varieties described in recent years, but instead illustrates with photographs of authenticated material as many of the descriptions as possible, to show what is potentially available, to help identify plants in collections, and to give some idea of the extent of the genus, and species' relationships. The author views Rebutia in the old sense, rather than including those species that have been amalgamated from Sulcorebutia by some authors. In the main chapter, the 'Commentary on Species', each of the recognized species and varieties is discussed in detail, with full colour illustrations of the plants growing and flowering in cultivation. For identification purposes alone, this Handbook is unrivalled.
Individual maps show the recorded habitat distribution for each of the taxa.
The genus is split into 3 subgenera, Rebutia , Aylostera and Mediolobivia . Maps show the overall distribution of the species in each of these subgenera. These plants are all native to Argentina and Bolivia, and lists are included of the States of Argentina and the Departments of Bolivia, showing which species are recorded from each. The basic methods of cultivation are discussed, with information on light, compost, temperatures, watering, potting, propagation, and pests. The classification of this large group of plants has caused controversy in the past, and continues to do so.