
audiobook
by J. J. (John James) Thornber, Frances Bonker
THE FANTASTIC CLAN. THE CACTUS FAMILY.
PREFACE
FOREWORD
ILLUSTRATIONS
THE FANTASTIC CLAN
CHAPTER I A DESERT FASHION SHOW
CHAPTER II CACTUS SPINES AND PECULIARITIES
CHAPTER III THE BABY CACTUS
CHAPTER IV THE PARADE OF THE DESERT FLOWERS
CHAPTER V THE PAINTED CANVAS OF THE DESERT
Step into the sun‑baked world of the American Southwest, where a remarkable family of plants thrives against rock and sand. This guide takes listeners on an imagined trek across desert valleys, introducing the odd‑shaped, vividly colored members of the cactus clan. With clear, scientific explanations, it reveals how these hardy survivors store water, endure extreme conditions, and display blossoms that seem to bloom from nowhere. Listeners will come away with a fresh appreciation for the quiet elegance of towering saguaros, the delicate night‑blooming cereus, and the quirky pincushion varieties.
Beyond description, the book offers practical advice for anyone dreaming of a desert garden at home. Detailed planting tips, soil recommendations, and care routines are paired with vivid photographs and hand‑drawn illustrations that bring each species to life. Whether you’re a seasoned botanist or a curious gardener, the narrative balances scholarly insight with accessible guidance, inviting you to cultivate a slice of the desert’s magic in your own backyard.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (323K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Chris Curnow and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2014-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1872–1962
A pioneering Arizona botanist, he helped map the plant life of the Southwest and turned his deep knowledge of grasses, cacti, and wildflowers into books that still attract curious readers. His work joined careful science with a clear love for the desert landscape.
View all books1891–1959
A botanist and nature writer with a strong feel for the American desert, she also turned to dramatic historical subjects in her later books. Her work ranges from close, lively writing about cacti to novels and biographies tied to twentieth-century Europe.
View all books
by Margaret Armstrong, J. J. (John James) Thornber

by Dallas Lore Sharp

by Dallas Lore Sharp

by Dallas Lore Sharp

by Dallas Lore Sharp

by E. N. (Eldred Nathaniel) Woodcock

by Carl Ethan Akeley

by Francis W. (Francis Wayland) Parker, Nellie Lathrop Helm