Mission Statement: The Los Angeles Cactus & Succulent Society, an affiliate of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America, was founded in 1935 to further the enjoyment & disseminate information about cacti & succulents. .
March1, 2012 Program
“The American Southwest”
Presented by Woody Minnich
LACSS meeting begin at 7:00 PM .
The Sepulveda Garden Center will open for set-up
at 6:45 and not before.
Wendell S. (Woody) Minnich
Woody, as he is commonly called, has been in the cactus hobby for some 41 years and has become well known for his participation in many of the cactus and succulent clubs. He is an honorary life member of seven clubs as well as a life member of CSSA (Cactus & Succulent Society of America.) He has served in almost all positions of leadership from president, to newsletter editor, to show chairman and so on. He is also known for his extensive field work studying primarily the cactus family. He has traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Africa, Yemen and Socotra. From these trips he has developed an extensive knowledge of the cactus family as well as many of the other succulent genera.
Nowhere in the world is there a more dynamic and picturesque region than that of the Ameri-can southwest. This romantic and historical part of the USA is marked with drama from its indigenous peoples and landscapes, to its grandest plants and creatures. For the purpose of this title we are includ-ing the seven most cactus and succulent rich states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mex-ico, Texas and Utah.
This presentation, The Great American Southwest, is an epic story and view of this magic land. Many people from all over the world have been attracted this special region, and for me, I will be sharing over 40 years of my field work in this most incredible part of our country.
March Plants of the Month
Cacti: Variegates
Succulents: Variegates
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General Information:
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-plant files-by name-typeResources:
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Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Glossary
This page spells out abbreviations, explains terms, acts as a thesaurus, etc.
for words, phrases, acronyms related to the enjoyment of cacti and succulents.
This page is always seeking useful additions.
Please send words, terms, phrases etc you would like to know more about to:
lacss.contact@gmail.com
. .and they will be considered for addition to this page
updated April 4, 2023
areole - small usually rounded bumps on cacti. Clusters of spines grow from these structures.
They are a defining characteristic of cactus plants. (also from Wikipedia)
bulbosa - inflated at the base
cacti - plural of cactus
callus - the protective tissue formed over a wound, for example, at the base of cuttings.
caudex - the swollen water-storage tissue, usually composed of both root and stem of a
succulent plant.
caudiciform - possessing a caudex, OR with a swollen stem.
central spine(s) - the spine(s) rising from the center of the areole, usually protruding and
distinct from an outer ring. They are longer and/or colored in most cacti.
corking - gradual ripening of stem from the base upward, producing a bark-like texture.
crested or fasciation - a relatively rare condition of abnormal growth in vascular plants in which the apical meristem (growing tip), which normally is concentrated around a single point and produces approximately cylindrical tissue, instead becomes elongated perpendicularly to the direction of growth, thus producing flattened, ribbon-like crested form.
CSSA - Cactus and Succulent Society of America. National umbrella organization of which
LACSS is a local chapter.
cv. - cultivar. Used only occasionally now, not as often as in past years.
dioecious - a plant having male and female flowers on different plants.
diurnal - flowers that open during the day.
dormant - plant is alive but not actively growing.
etiolate - (eh-tee-o-layt) to become pale and/or stretch out, altering the natural form of a green plant by reducing or eliminating sunlight. Example: my succulent has become etiolated stretching to reach more sunlight.
glaucous - bluish grey or bluish green in color.
globose - shaped like a globe
glochids - tiny but sharp spines that are painful/annoying when stuck in your skin. Defined by
Wikipedia as 'hair-like spines, generally barbed, found on the areoles of Opuntiod
cacti. Difficult to remove from skin or clothing because of the barbs.'
The HUNTINGTON - The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is a collections-based research and educational institution serving scholars and the general public. Henry & Arabella Huntington drafted the trust document in 1919 that would transform their private estate into an institution for the "advancement of learning, the arts and sciences, and promote the public welfare." Opened in 1928 in San Marino, just 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. At 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 and huntington.org
inflorescence - the complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts,
and flowers.
example: "My aloe sent up an inflorescence with orange/red flowers."
The Journal - the Journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America.
A regular publication by the CSSA.
LACSS - Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
meristem - the tissue in most plants containing undifferentiated cells, found in zones of the plant where growth can take place. Meristematic cells give rise to various organs of a plant and are responsible for growth. It is the circle that surrounds the vascular bundle.
monoecious - a plant having both male and female flowers borne in separate inflorescences but on the same plant.
monotypic - only one species in a genus
monstrose - a mutation of a plant that happens in the primary meristems. The causes range from injury to bacterial or viral diseases. The three most common types of growth mutation are crests, monstrose growth, and variegation.
nocturnal - flowers that open only at night.
offset - a side shoot, or lateral branch, usually at the base, that has a growing tip and can produce a new plant. Also called offshoot or pup.
overpotted - pot is too large for size of the plant.
pistil - female part of a flower.
POM - Plant of the Month. Competition at each LACSS meeting for a succulent and a cactus
as listed in the Cactus Chronicle newsletter and this website.
pubescent - covered with fine, short, short hairs.
San Gabriel - usually refers to San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society (SGVCSS),
another local affiliate of cactus and succulent enthusiasts.
sp. - species
spine - a modified leaf. Provides protection and moisture collection functions.
ssp. - subspecies
stamen - male part of a flower.
stigma - the sticky stem of the pistil of the female reproductive system in a plant.
top dressing - extra usually tiny/small size pebbles, glass, pumice, or other type of material put
directly on top of soil or soil mixture of potted plants to enhance appearance. Also can conserve moisture in soil and keep out weeds, etc.
underpotted - plant is too big for size of pot.
var. - variety
variegated - exhibiting different colors as irregular areas or streaks.
winter or summer growers - these genera actively grow only during the season indicated by
their description as either 'winter' or 'summer' growers. For a list of genera in each category, click on Advice link at top of page.
x - cross. Indicates a hybrid plant.
> > > more to come < < <
for a link to Plant of the Month Library
with plant descriptions where the words may appear
