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Towering over deserts, arid scrublands, and dry tropical forests, giant cacti grow throughout the Americas, from the United States to Argentina—often in rough terrain and on barren, parched soils, places inhospitable to people. But as David Yetman shows, many of these tall plants have contributed significantly to human survival.Yetman has been fascinated by columnar cacti for most of his life and now brings years of study and reflection to a wide-ranging and handsomely illustrated book. Drawing on his close association with the Guarij­os, Mayos, and Seris of Mexico—peoples for whom such cacti have been indispensable to survival—he offers surprising evidence of the importance of these plants in human cultures. The Great Cacti reviews the more than one hundred species of columnar cacti, with detailed discussions of some 75 that have been the most beneficial to humans or are most spectacular. Focusing particularly on northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, Yetman examines the role of each species in human society, describing how cacti have provided food, shelter, medicine, even religiously significant hallucinogens.Taking readers to the exotic sites where these cacti are found—from sea-level deserts to frigid Andean heights—Yetman shows that the great cacti have facilitated the development of native culture in hostile environments, yielding their products with no tending necessary. Enhanced by over 300 superb color photos, The Great Cacti is both a personal and scientific overview of sahuesos, soberbios, and other towering flora that flourish where few other plants grow—and that foster human life in otherwise impossible places. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Great Cacti
Are you tired of reading about cacti for the kitchen counter or window sill? If so, then this is the book you want. Only true giants are represented here, and Dr. Yetman did a top-notch job. Wonderful photos of HUGE cacti throughout the book. He also gives maps showing which areas to find these wonderful giants if you ever decide to go for a cactus run. He talks much about the many uses of each cacti in the region by the locals, and it's pretty interesting. These cacti are used for food, shelter, medicines, building materials, etc. I have many cacti books and this is my favorite because I'm more interested in the type of cacti you can sink your teeth into. The book shows pretty much only columnar cactus, but a couple of others are briefly shown, and they are all from Mexico and South America. Many pics show people standing in front of them and when you notice the person you realize how big the cactus is... and some are just amazing (zoom in on the front cover to see the guy standing beneath the cactus). And yes, he sometimes gets technical about the cacti...number of ribs, color of flowers, etc., but he mostly is concerned with the area the plants are located, the "hot spots", and their uses. But even just the pics alone make this book worth while. If you want a book to identify all different kinds of cacti, big and small, this is not the book for you. But if you just want to read about and view some real big cacti, you won't regret buying this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Plants have cultural histories, and their culturally known applications change through time and across contexts. The impact of individual plant species on human cultures has been profound, whether it is the coca and quinine from South America or tea and coffee from the Old World. This pattern is seen in all types of uses that humans make of plants, from trees used for construction, through species used for perfume through to food plants. However, it is medicinal plants that have attracted considerable attention recently, whether as a justification of plant conservation efforts or through the perception that direct use of medicinal plants may offer something that is not delivered by orthodox medicine. Nevertheless, surprisingly little research has been done on the interface of ethnobotany and medical anthropology. This volume makes an important contribution to filling this gap. Its two central aims are to demonstrate that plant knowledge is not paradigmatic positive knowledge but situational and arises in relationships, and to show that modern medicinal plant discovery can be viewed as the epitome of a long history of borrowing, stealing, and exchanging plants. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ethnobotany: A modern perspective and must read
Ethnobotany: A Modern Perspective is a must read for those looking for a comprehensive, easy-to-use book on the subject. Divided into 11 chapters, with worksheets following each chapter, the reader is gradually introduced to complex relationships between cultures and the uses of plants. Ethnobotany requires a variety of different skills, such as botanical training for identification/preservation and anthropological training to understand the cultural concepts, but Dr. Rani Vajravelu breaks down these topics into organized, comprehensible sections.

This book is required for BOT 3800 (Ethnobotany) at the University of Central Florida, a class I took in the Spring of 2009. I relied heavily on the book for class and tests. It is a book you will need and read, cover to cover. I found the subject (and book) interesting and focused toward the college student. The author knows her audience, and entertains accordingly. Enjoy!

Great book for students or anyone that is interested in ethnobotany, nutrition, and history!
Wow what a wonderful book...
I had a class that required this book. This book contains amazing facts about where our food, medicine, and drugs come from. Even if your not a student I recommend buying this book just for fun reading. You will impress your family and friends as you pass on the information from this book during conversations. A+ ... Read more

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This book is not like any other book on plants.Many plant books that you read will discuss only the ethnobotany of plants, or merely the identification of plants.I have chosen to combine some of the latest scientific research on many of the plants in this book as well as their ethno-botanical background.Combining scientific research with historical uses, one can get a good idea about the “real” benefits of plants and not merely the psychological aids.
I have chosen to pick many plants that may help in cases of emergencies in different situations whether that may be a lost hunter or hiker, and can quickly be identified by looking at a picture.After 9/11, the nation was urged to prepare a 72 hour pack for each person in their family.This guide is meant for that pack.This guide should accompany any person that goes into the back country.This guide lists many plants that can be used for food.If it so happens that you must stay more than 72 hours in the wilderness, this guide will help you take care of those bare essentials necessary to survive.It explains plant foods, medicines, fiber, and shelter.It describes methods, such as making cattail duck decoys, for use in obtaining meat; what plants were used to make poison darts for obtaining food…and much, much, more!
Besides the survival information, other pieces of information are included.There are several recipes in the book for making jam or jelly.Information is also provided about how to tap trees.I have also provided some of the latest research on many of the plants, complete with references.
I hold special interest in a plant in this book.I held a patent on the plant up until this past December.Scientific studies showed that it fights herpes viruses.I tell you in the book what plant it is and how to prepare a cold sore medicine as well as other herpes medicines.
There are 236 graphic, full color pictures of plants and other descriptions in this book.The author has a bachelors degree in biology and a masters degree in Agriculture Systems Technology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

an expression of hope
In an ever-evolving world society, the aim of expanding cultural participation is a fundamental expression of hope. American arts and humanities publications and teaching have been making headway in this project, encouraging children to attend and honor their own family and ethnic traditions and strengths, thoughtfully sharing these with others, enriching the sum of human experience and awareness beyond as well as within the dominant culture. The natural sciences are making a later but authentic entry to the field.

Gabriell DeBear Paye's book `Cultural Uses of Plants, a guide to learning about ethnobotany' is a wonderful example of the maturing of the multi-cultural approach in the context of a stringent scientific curriculum. The text is careful, clear, practical, and friendly.While this is certainly a book for schools and teachers, it should interest many parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, great aunts and great uncles as well. It invites the integration of family discussion and wisdom with school accomplishment. Science projects designed on such a collaborative foundation are likely to be very well made! ... Read more

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This digital document is a journal article from Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, published by Elsevier in 2007. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Information is presented which defines ethnobotany, discusses its philosophy and principles, and considers the relationship between ethnobotany and the conservation of biodiversity. ... Read more

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Winner of the Klinger Award from the Society for Economic BotanyFootprints of the Forestis the clearest and most comprehensive account to date of the relationship between an Amazonian people and their botanical environment. Based on Bales ten years of ethnographic and botanical research among the Kaapor Indians of eastern Amazonia, this book documents how the Kaapor use, manage, name, and classify hundreds of plant species found in their habitat. ... Read more