Environmental Biology of Agaves and Cacti

Environmental Biology of Agaves and Cacti
Author: Park S. Nobel
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2003-10-16
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780521543347

A comprehensive review of these two interesting and economically important desert succulents.

Cactus

Cactus
Author: Dan Torre
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2017-05-15
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1780237693

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.

Remarkable Agaves and Cacti

Remarkable Agaves and Cacti
Author: Park S. Nobel
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 188
Release: 1994
Genre: Nature
ISBN:

For at least 9000 years, agaves and cacti have been cultivated and consumed by people the world over. Whether they have been used to make beverages, eaten as fruits, raised for their leaf fibers, or fed to cattle, these succulent plants have proven invaluable to the economies of many cultures. This entertaining and informative book details the unique characteristics and uses of the many species of agaves and cacti.

Cacti

Cacti
Author: Park S. Nobel
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2002-07-10
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780520231573

"There is nothing in the world like this book. It should be in every library and on the bookshelves of all those interested in cacti. The book will be an important resource for plant physiology, agronomy, and horticulture classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level."—Bruce Smith, Brigham Young University "Cacti: Biology and Uses is a landmark publication of one of the world's most unique group of plants. Park Nobel, a leading authority on succulent plants, has assembled a collection of contributions that spans a wide range of issues extending from basic systematics, anatomy, physiology and ecology to considerations of conservation and human uses of this diverse group of plants. This nicely-produced and well-illustrated volume provides a resource that will be of great use to a wide range of scientists, practitioners, and enthusiasts of this plant group."—Harold Mooney, Paul S. Achilles Professor of Environmental Biology, Stanford University

Agaves

Agaves
Author: Greg Starr
Publisher: Timber Press
Total Pages: 343
Release: 2012-05-29
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1604691980

Gardeners and garden designers are having a love affair with agaves. It's easy to see why—they're low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and strikingly sculptural, with an astounding range of form and color. Many species are strikingly variegated, and some have contrasting ornamental spines on the edges of their leaves. Fabulous for container gardening or in-the-ground culture, they combine versatility with easy growability. In Agaves, plant expert Greg Starr profiles 75 species, with additional cultivars and hybrids, best suited to gardens and landscapes. Each plant entry includes a detailed description of the plant, along with its cultural requirements, including hardiness, sun exposure, water needs, soil requirements, and methods of propagation. Agaves can change dramatically as they age and this comprehensive guide includes photos showing each species from youth to maturity—a valuable feature unique to this book.

Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology

Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology
Author: Park S. Nobel
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 589
Release: 2005-01-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0125200269

"Physiology," which is the study of the function of cells, organs, and organisms, derives from the Latin physiologia, which in turn comes from the Greek physi- or physio-, a prefix meaning natural, and logos, meaning reason or thought. Thus physiology suggests natural science and is now a branch of biology dealing with processes and activities that are characteristic of living things. "Physicochemical" relates to physical and chemical properties, and "Environmental" refers to topics such as solar irradiation and wind. "Plant" indicates the main focus of this book, but the approach, equations developed, and appendices apply equalIy welI to animaIs and other organisms. We wilI specificalIy consider water relations, solute transport, photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, and environmental interactions. A physiologist endeavors to understand such topics in physical and chemical terms; accurate models can then be constructed and responses to the internal and the external environment can be predicted. Elementary chemistry, physics, and mathematics are used to develop concepts that are key to under-standing biology -the intent is to provide a rigorous development, not a compendium of facts. References provide further details, although in some cases the enunciated principIes carry the reader to the forefront of current research. Calculations are used to indicate the physiological consequences of the various equations, and problems at the end of chapters provide further such exercises. Solutions to alI of the problems are provided, and the appendixes have a large tist of values for constants and conversion factors at various temperatures.

Peyote

Peyote
Author: Beatriz Caiuby Labate
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 394
Release: 2016-01-18
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN:

This book explains the role that peyote—a hallucinogenic cactus—plays in the religious and spiritual fulfillment of certain peoples in the United States and Mexico, and examines pressing issues concerning the regulation and conservation of peyote as well as issues of indigenous and religious rights. Why is mescaline—an internationally controlled substance derived from peyote—given exemptions for religious use by indigenous groups in Mexico, and by the pan-indigenous Native American Church in the United States and Canada? What are the intersections of peyote use, constitutional law, and religious freedom? And why are natural populations of peyote in decline—so much so that in Mexico, peyote is considered a species needing "special protection"? This fascinating book addresses these questions and many more. It also examines the delicate relationship between "the needs of the plant" as a species and "the needs of man" to consume the species for spiritual purposes. The authors of this work integrate the history of peyote regulation in the United States and the special "trust responsibility" relationship between the American Indians and the government into their broad examination of peyote, a hallucinogenic cactus containing mescaline that grows naturally in Mexico and southern Texas. The book's chapters document how when it comes to peyote, multiple stakeholders' interests are in conflict—as is often the case with issues that involve ethnic identity, religion, constitutional interpretation, and conservation. The expansion of peyote traditions also serves as a foundation for examining issues of international human rights law and protections for religious freedom within the global milieu of cultural transnationalism.

Metagenomics

Metagenomics
Author: Muniyandi Nagarajan
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 562
Release: 2024-11-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0323917127

Metagenomics: Perspectives, Methods, and Applications, second edition, provides thorough coverage of the growing field of metagenomics. A diverse range of chapters from international experts offer an introduction to the field and examine methods for metagenomic analysis of microbiota, metagenomic computational tools, and recent metagenomic studies in various environments and clinical settings. The emphasis on application makes this text particularly useful for applied researchers, practitioners, clinicians, and students seeking to employ metagenomic approaches to advance knowledge in the biomedical and life sciences. Case study-based application chapters include topics ranging from metagenome tools, metagenomics in oral disease and health, metagenomic insights into the human gut microbiome and metabolic syndromes, and more. This new edition has been fully updated to address the rapid growth and development of metagenomics applications, featuring expert discussion of recent developments and fresh case studies. Newly added chapters instruct in methods and implications of metagenomics in areas of growing focus, such as microbiome research, clinical diagnosis, metagenomic epidemiology, and plant microbe interaction. Data analysis is explained in simple terms for effective use of computational tools, software, and sequencing pipelines. - Features a diverse range of chapters from international experts - Highlights current state-of-the-art and recent advances in the field with current perspectives and case studies - Includes methods, techniques, and various computational software tools and pipelines currently used in metagenomic studies - Provokes new thought and motivations for continued study, with next steps in research discussed at the end of each chapter

Crop ecology, cultivation and uses of cactus pear

Crop ecology, cultivation and uses of cactus pear
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 244
Release: 2018-06-05
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9251098603

Cactus plants are precious natural resources that provide nutritious food for people and livestock, especially in dryland areas. Originally published in 1995, this extensively revised edition provides fresh insights into the cactus plant’s genetic resources, physiological traits, soil preferences and vulnerability to pests. It provides invaluable guidance on managing the resource to support food security and offers tips on how to exploit the plant’s culinary qualities.

Fearless Gardening

Fearless Gardening
Author: Loree Bohl
Publisher: Timber Press
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2021-01-05
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1604699620

“Fearless Gardening encourages you—exhorts you—to boldly go forth and claim your garden as a space of joy and creativity.” —Jennifer Jewell, creator and host of public radio’s Cultivating Place Embrace your inner rebel and create the garden you want—even if it breaks the rules. Loree Bohl, the voice behind the popular blog The Danger Garden, shows how it’s done in Fearless Gardening, with zone-busting ideas and success stories. Bohl’s own gorgeous home garden inspires, with agaves that shrug off ice storms, palms that thrive in the rain, and planting risks that are beautifully rewarded.