In Wild Cactus, Rose Houk writes an illuminating account of these intriguing plants--exploring not only natural history secrets, but Native American folklore, ancient culinary and medicinal uses, and current conservation issues as well. The breathtaking photographs in this volume, taken by nature photographer George Huey, richly illustrate the jewel-like splendor and exotic drama of the wild cactus. Huey traveled throughout the American Southwest, Baja California, and mainland Mexico to capture their luxuriant flowers and fruit, their impressive armor of spines, and the often surreal arid landscape where they can be found. From the wine-red flower of the claretcup cactus to acres of saguaro forest in the Sonoran Desert, from a curve-bill thrasher tucked into the spines of a cholla to a desert tortoise eating the pink fat buds of a prickly pear, Huey"s portraits will entrance anyone interested in the unusual beauty of the desert realm.