BOOK REVIEWS--NONFICTION
The Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary
by Maurizio Sajeva and Mariangela Costanzo
©1994 Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 240pp.
How many times have you purchased a succulent whose only identification was a tag that said "cacti or succulent"? Or perhaps you were lucky enough to be informed of the genus or family name but little more? Contrary to popular belief, succulents are a very diverse group and consequently have extremely varied needs and cultural requirements. Providing adequate care for your plant begins with knowing what on earth it is.
I have long been searching for a book that can help me become acquainted with some of the strange succulents in my collection. Looking through hundreds of photos of succulents on the internet in a desperate search to identify one plant isn't my idea of a thrilling afternoon. Finally I have found exactly what I was looking for in Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary by Maurizio Sajeva and Mariangela Costanzo.
The book is a full colour catalogue depicting hundreds of succulent species from around the world. The dictionary section of the book is comprised of six photos per page including a description and country of origin for each plant. While the plants are gorgeous, the book isn't filled with "beauty shots". The photos are primarily for identification purposes and often do not show the entire plant, but rather close-ups on the parts that really need to be seen. A helpful guide that briefly outlines the identifying features of the various genera is included with the book's introduction and information regarding CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) can be found in the back.
If you are looking for an introduction to the care and growing of succulents look elsewhere. However, if you are in need of a guide to some of the countless species of succulents out there, either for identification purposes or just for looking, then this book is a very good starting point.
-GS
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