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Cacti

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Cacti is one of many volumes in the lavishly illustrated Golden Guide series. This book is a survey of the cactus family and includes information on over 200 species. When European explorers brought these unusual plants from the New World to the Old World botanists were unsure how to classify them. Their spines suggested they were somehow like thistles; when Linnaeus founded the present system of plant classification in 1753, he grouped them under the name cactus, from the ancient Greek word kaktos, meaning thistle. Dimensions, flower color, and ranges are provided for each species. In some cases we learn about the uses of cacti; some uses include food, furniture, boxes, picture frames, roofing, and fencing. Cholla, organ-pipe, and saguaro are among the featured species. The book also describes the adaptations for survival cacti have made as well as the classification system of these unique plants. In sum, Cacti is a concise yet informative book portraying some of the most fascinating members of the plant kingdom.