Cactus

Author(s): Dan Torre

Gardening

Cacti are full of contradictions. Although many are found in the driest and most barren environments on earth, some grow exclusively in the branches of the rainforest canopy. Many species bristle with ferocious-looking spines, while other varieties are perfectly smooth. And while they might strike us as the most austere plants on earth, nearly all of them exhibit remarkable floral displays--some even larger than the plant itself. In Cactus, Dan Torre explores these unique plants as they appear all around the world and throughout art, literature, and popular culture.

As Torre shows, cacti have played a prominent role in human history for thousands of years. Some species were revered by ancient civilizations, playing a part in their religious ceremonies; other varieties have been cultivated for their medicinal properties and even as a source of dye, as in the case of the prickly pear cactus and the cochineal insect, the source of red carmine used in everything from food to lipstick. Torre examines how cacti have figured in low-footprint gardens, as iconic features of the landscapes of Westerns, and as a delicious culinary ingredient, from nutritious Nopal pads to alluring Pitaya--or Dragon--fruits. Entertaining and informative, this book will appeal to any of us who have admired these hardy, efficient plants.

$32.99 AUD

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Written by an RMIT professor, this is therefore a must for any local. Torre looks at how cacti have appeared in literature and art as he charts their journey through civilisations. Full of beautiful artwork, this would be an excellent coffee table book, sure to delight friends and guests.

Elisa, Book Grocer

 

“A wide-ranging social and cultural history of cacti that champions a family of plants usually neglected by gardeners. . . . The book is learned and well-researched but always easy to read and full of fascinating anecdotes. . . . For anyone interested in the world of plants it will certainly provide an engaging insight into a fascinating group of plants. It might even stimulate a few gardeners to add a few cacti to their plot.”

- Gardens Illustrated (JC BookGrocer)

General Fields

  • : 9781780237220
  • : Reaktion Books, Limited
  • : Reaktion Books, Limited
  • : March 2017
  • : April 2017
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Dan Torre
  • : 224