GYMNOCALYCIUM

A Collector's Guide

by John Pilbeam and Bill Weightman

Pages:	176
Year:	1995
Color photos:	124
B/w photos:	98
Maps:	10
Language:	English
Size (cm):	20.3 x 27.9
Size (inches):	8 x 11
ISBN:	905410192X
Binding:	hardbound
List price:	~~USD 76.00~~
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Discount:	72% (USD 55.00)

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Review by David McRitchie:

The prolific John Pilbeam has made an outstanding contribution to the cactus hobby with the publication of this volume detailing 37 accepted and 42 provisionally accepted (as of 1995) Gymno species. The classification is based primarily on seed characters as each species has a seed shape consistent with the subgenus to which it belongs. There are excellent scanning electron microscope pictures of high magnification (x70) which reveal the seed of each subgenus in great detail. Included are the systems of Schultz and of Buxbaum. These two classifications are also based on seed characters. Supplementing the description of each species is an excellent black and white close-up photograph by Bill Weightman showing rib and spine formation. There are also a number of outstanding colour photographs of many species in flower. Detlev Metzing of Germany has contributed a chapter with maps on geography and distribution. Finally, there is a field list arranged by collector with field numbers of each species.

Pilbeam's stated purpose for the book is to show the collector what the range of species is, and help him identify or verify the plants he acquires. In this he succeeds. Having said that, I would add a word of caution. Unless their plants originate from a reputable grower who takes great pains to avoid random hybridization by insects, the hobbyist may well find that some of his or her plants do not compare with those in the book. Gymnocalycium have a tendency to be somewhat promiscuous in cultivation and will readily hybridize with other Gymnocalycium species with which, for geographical reasons, they would never have the opportunity to associate in nature. I was unable to match a number of my own Gymnos, some of which were purchased unlabelled at a local building supply centre, to the descriptions in the book. Fortunately, I'm not that much of a purist and I think no less of them because of their doubtful pedigree. Also, within a given species, there is often considerable variation in spination and flower colour. Nevertheless, this is a fine book for any Gymnocalycium enthusiast and I recommend it highly.

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