Wild Cactus
Whether they grow at sea level or at an elevation of 10,000 feet, cacti can be found in 45 of the 50 states. Interesting tidbits such as this enliven the text of this entertaining survey on cacti. Chapters cover everything from the culinary and medicinal uses of cacti to some of the current conservation issues facing these prickly plants. The chapter on botanists involved in cataloging and chronicling cacti is particularly fascinating. While Wild Cactus will not work well as an in-depth identifier to the characteristics of any individual cactus, it does provide the reader with a wonderful overall look; the 60 photographs by Huey, whose work has appeared in magazines such as Audubon and Natural History, are gorgeous. Public and academic libraries will find this beautifully produced book to be an affordable addition to their collections.John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., Ariz.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.