Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Rod Preston-Mafham (Author), Ken Preston-Mafham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1997

This dictionary concentrates on the globular cacti, particularly Mammillaria, but includes some popular columnar cactus forms such as Echinocereus.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As identification tools or pre-buyer shopping lists, the [dictionary is] superb ... As inspiration for buying plants for your planter, rock garden, greenhouse or coffee table, [this] illustrated [dictionary offers] years of information and enjoyment."—Coni Tarquini, Hardy Plant, April 2003 (Coni Tarquini Hardy Plant )

"A unique source of reference."—Wisley Bookshop, Spring 2002 (Wisley Bookshop )

"This book is already well known in our hobby and many have reported how useful it has been helping hobbyists with the identification of globular cacti."—Amateurs' Digest, May 2001 (Amateurs' Digest )

Book Description

This dictionary concentrates on the globular cacti, particularly Mammillaria, but includes some popular columnar cactus forms such as Echinocereus.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881924008
• ISBN-13: 978-0881924008
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants > Cacti & Succulents

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Title Misrepresents Focus on Globular Species, January 16, 2000

By 

Jennifer Hamilton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary (Paperback)

While this is an excellent identification resource for globular cacti, the title suggests it covers the broader cacti species ~ which it does not. Unfortunately, its companion guide "Succulents-An Illustrated Dictionary" is also an excellent identification resource, but does not cover the balance of the cacti species either. I anxiously await full coverage of the cacti species.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only the Globular Species Examined, October 19, 1998

By 

Tommie Pennebaker (West Columbia,Texas, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary (Paperback)

This is a good encyclopedia of the globular species of cacti, but unfortuately, this is as far as it goes. The photos are good and precise. Another aspect to look at is that none of the column cactus are listed. Also, the measurements and expected size of the cactus plants are not detailed, so you just have to look and guess. I also wish that the measurements were in inches instead of the metric system. After all is said and done, this could be a good starting point for the very amateur cactus enthusiast!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Album, but who is missing, October 28, 2004

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary (Paperback)

It is very difficult to find fault in a book that is so comprehensive in what it sets out to achieve, and I have no wish to do so. However I would like to point out to potential purchasers, if your interest lies in columnar cacti (Cereus, Cleistocactus, Pilosocereus, I know I could go on forever), or anthing from the Opuntia genus, you will be disappointed because they are not included in the book. Of course many other species are not included but this would be virtually impossible to achieve. There is a very good selection of species for all of the more popular genera, many in flower, which obviously aids in the identification process. As a plant identifier this book would be very difficult to beat. Plant care is virtually non existent, but this is not what the book is about. Under most photographs you will get details of the distribution of the plant; flower colour; spination and some of the different synonyms the plant may be labelled under. if you have any serious interest in Cacti you need this book.