the world’s) largest selection of books on our Well, we should know that the next higher grouping

Thanks to Jack Ramsey and his volunteers for a favorite topic: Cactus and Succulents, as well as a of primary significance is the plant Family. And,
great job and a very successful event. Over 250 host of related topics. since the rules of nomenclature do not allow the use
plants were donated and sold and the event netted of the same genus in more
Rainbow Gardens Bookshop has a long tradition of
about $1,500 for our research grant fund. than one family, it is
providing a comprehensive selection of the best new
simple to find a plant’s
President’s Message Check our website for current happenings. October and previously-owned books, as well as providing
family by just looking up
is plant sale month. Thank you, excellent customer care. We plan to continue all of
Who are we? The recent its genus in a book or on
Dick Wiedhopf, President these traditions and possibly start a few new ones.
survey says: the internet. Of course
We believe that Tucson truly is the Center of the those family names are
Twenty percent of us are
Cactus and Succulent Universe and are delighted to still more Latin for us to
mostly interested in cacti and Our Sunday September 26,
join this community and contribute to that wrestle with, but that’s
ten percent are mostly 2004 Good Time Auction
distinction. life. And here’s a clue: all
interested in other succulent was a great success, for
family names end in –
plants, but most of us just love many reasons. Once we have relocated the business and have
aceae. That’s handy.
all cacti and succulents. things set-up, we hope that you will come out for a
It was a success because everybody had Cacti are all in the family
visit.
We are joiners, well represented in the plant a good time! It was a success because Patsy Cactaceae. Many cactus-
Kevin and Helen Barber
organization community. Frannea and her group of volunteers provided the like plants from the Old
usual fine refreshments. And it was especially a World are in the family
Other Memberships success because it again demonstrated that we make Plants have families, too! Euphorbiaceae, which gets
Euphorbia abyssinica
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum 67% our own fun. With minimal planning and little In July and August, Norm Dennis and I talked about Euphorbiaceae Family its name from one of its
Tucson Botanical Garden 53% recent experience, our members, under the capable those pesky scientific names. Each plant is largest genera, Euphorbia.
Cactus & Succulent Society of America 33% leadership of Jack Ramsey, made the fun happen. identified by a unique combination of a genus name And those smelly ones? Look in the family
Tohono Chul 30% and a species epithet, which together make up the Asclepiadaceae. But be careful, for not all of the
AZ Native Plant Society 20% It was also a financial success. Forty-four bidders
scientific name. Genera are groups of plants that Asclepiadaceae smell bad; you wouldn’t want to
Other Plant Organizations 10% selected among 253 plants and added $1653.25 to
have many characteristics in common, so if we deprive your
our research fund.
know some things about a few plants in a genus, we butterfly garden
We have book collectors and stamp collectors that Jack Ramsey
can pretty well guess that other plants in the genus of those useful
add another dimension to our society. We will take milkweeds just
will be similar.
advantage of other specialized collections for some Pima County Country Fair because some of
future meeting. But you may have noticed that many plants come in their cousins
Saturday, October 31, 2004 groups that have many genera. Cactus, for instance,
Based on the survey returns, our Society is on the 89:00 am to 3:00 pm aren’t well
are in many ways similar, with spines and generally behaved!
right track. We would like more trips and more Lew Sorensen Center arid-adapted growth habits. Some of our favorite
members’ garden visits. Thank you very much for 11100 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Learning to think
plants, while plainly not cactus, have cactus-like
participating in the survey. We are a diverse group (East on Tanque Verde on the right hand side) about your plants
growth and also have
of active, interested and talented individuals who in families can be Mammillaria elegans
The Pima County Spring and spines and are arid-
make this society enjoyable. very useful. At Cactaceae Family
Fall Country Fairs have given adapted. Some plants,
At our last Board of Directors meeting a nominating our club the opportunity to while less cactus-like, shows we often
committee was elected to establish a slate of officers provide valuable information have flowers with group plants by family, and, starting at this year’s
and directors for the coming year. All of the officers, to many of the visitors who horrible odors. Some of Sonaran V, all of our show plant labels give the
the CSSA Affiliate Representative and three Board attend, and to sell salvaged these are Stapelia, but family. There’s so much to learn about succulents,
Member positions are up for election. and member plants to the public. The Tucson some are in other genera, and knowing the family can be a big help.
Cactus & Succulent Society has established a such as Asclepias or Remember the saying: “All cacti are succulents, but
The nominating committee consists of Gail Virtes, not all succulents are cacti”? What that really means
very good reputation for providing some great Fockea. Wouldn’t it be
Jack Ramsey and Vonn Watkins. Please contact is that many different families have some members
plants at very reasonable prices. You will find a Edithcolea grandis
nice if we could figure
these individuals if you would like to run for office that are succulents, and the Cactaceae family is one
great diversity of drought tolerant plants, Asclepiadaceae Family out how to group all of
or nominate members to run. Nominations will be that has all of its members with succulent
including many natives, ready for your garden. those succulents so we
announced at the November meeting at which time adaptations.
Drop by and consider giving some of these plants could seek out, or avoid, getting any of these
additional nominations will be accepted from the Barry McCormick
a home. odiferous ones?
floor.
Jack Ramsey
 TCSS Rescue Cacti for Sale
Lots & lots to choose from…..
Barrels - from 2” to 14” diameter (about $1 per inch)
Hedgehogs – from 1 to 20 heads (about $1 per head)
TCSS Club Members receive a 15% discount
Call Joe or Patsy if interested 575-7126
October 2004
Thursday, October 7, 2004
New Member Listings and changes TCSS BOARD Matt Johnson
VERNON L & DIANE R PHILLIP RUTTENBUR JUDY HELZEL 7:00 PM
KLIEWER 2011 N 29TH PLACE 4555 BUCKSKIN WAY Officers
2521 N SHADE TREE LN PHOENIX, AZ 85008-2815 TUCSON, AZ 85750-9742 President: Richard Wiedhopf Matt Johnson, author of Cacti, Other
TUCSON, AZ 85728-4759 602-273-0432 520-294-7418 885-6367 Succulents, and Unusual Xerophytes of
520-625-8729 xenomorf@cox.net jefjude@msn.com. Vice President: Kevin Barber Southern Arizona will present a program on
vkliewer@comcast.net Secretary: Lynda Ryan
CELESTE GORNICK Treasurer: Valarie Miller local native Cacti and Succulents.
DOUG DAWSON 3535 W ACOMA DR Matt is a long-time Tucson resident who
4326 E SAN GABRIEL PHOENIX, AZ 85053-5532 Board of Directors:
PHOENIX, AZ 85044-1322 602-548-8106 Past-President: Vonn Watkins received both his BS and MS degrees in
480-893-1207 Hheaven77@aol.com Gail Virtes (2004) Horticulture from the University of Arizona.
doug.dawson@gcmail.maricopa.edu Barry McCormick (2004) He is presently Curator for the Desert Legume
Jack Ramsey (2004) Program, a seed bank project jointly sponsored
Photos by Barry McCormick and Chris Monrad. Logo Artwork by Vonn Watkins Joe Frannea (2005)
Marty Harow (2005) by the UA College of Agriculture and Life
Peter Hubbell (2005) Sciences, and the Boyce Thompson
Dan Birt (2006) Southwestern Arboretum. He has been
Chris Monrad (2006) growing cacti and succulents all his life, and
Mark Sitter (2006) has traveled extensively in the Southwest and
CSSA Affiliate Rep: Helen Barber
throughout the world.
Cactus Rescue: Chris Monrad
Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society Educational: Joe Frannea Matt is the author of over 50 publications on botany & horticulture
7510 E. Rio Verde Rd. Free Plants: Norma Beckman of arid climate plants including his previous book: The Trees of
Librarian: Jenny Coniglio Sonora, Mexico (Felger, Johnson, and Wilson, 2001, Oxford
Tucson, AZ 85715-3537 Programs: Kevin Barber University Press).
Refreshments: Patsy Frannea
Sales: Jack Ramsey Matt will be bringing copies of his new book for sale and will be
Technology: Kevin Barber signing them at the break.
Editor: Barry McCormick
jbarrymcc@earthlink.net Thursday, November 4, 2004
Deadline for copy:18th of each month
Matt Johnson
TCSS Web Page:www.tucsoncactus.org
This will be the second part of Matt’s presentation and will primarily
Next Meeting
Thursday, October 7 at 7:00 pm feature Opuntia species.
Junior League of Tucson
2099 E. River Road
Tucson Parking Junior League of Tucson
Kiva Bldg.
October Refreshments 2099 E. River Road

Campell

Camino Escuela
299-5753
Those with family names beginning with
N to S, please bring your choice of Meeting Place
refreshment to the meeting.
Everyone is Welcome!
River Road
Bring your friends, join in the fun, St. Phillip’s
and meet the cactus and succulent Plaza

community.