The late Edward F. Anderson was Senior Research Botanist at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. He was past president of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study, a fellow of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, and a member of the Linnean Society, London. In addition, Anderson was professor emeritus, Whitman College, where he taught biology for 30 years. In 1998 Dr. Anderson was awarded the prestigious Cactus d’Or by the principality of Monaco for outstanding research on succulents. He authored and contributed to several books, and published numerous papers during his more than 45 years of research on cacti.
Edward 'Ted' Anderson passed away in March 2001.
Timber Press: What first sparked your interest in researching this specific family of plants?
Edward 'Ted' Anderson: Contrary to many scientists, past and present, who studied cacti as an outgrowth of their hobbyist interest in the plants, I never had a particular interest in growing them. Rather, I came to study cacti because a project was suggested to me by Dr. Lyman Benson, who became my graduate advisor.
I was in the army (as were most men in the 1950s) and was looking for possible graduate schools to attend for my Ph.D. Dr. Benson had been one of my undergraduate professors at Pomona College, so I naturally wrote him for advice and suggestions. He told me (via a telegram because I was stationed in Germany) that a biochemist in Pasadena had approached him to find a graduate student who would be interested in studying the botany of the peyote cactus and some of the related groups. He was willing to provide a fellowship for the study. This sounded very attractive to me, newly married and without the GI Bill; so I told Dr. Benson that I was interested in doing the project.
I had never heard of peyote, nor had I thought much about cacti before. I knew what cacti were because I grew up in southern California, which has lots of native cacti. My choice was, indeed, a very wise one. Dr. Alles, the biochemist, ended up financing my entire graduate studies at the Claremont Graduate School and Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, and provided funds for me to do fieldwork in Mexico. Dr. Benson served as my graduate advisor, which was very fortunate, as he was one of the most knowledgeable botanists. As a result of my graduate research, many opportunities arose for further study of the cacti, and I have not looked back.
TP: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Web site lists 32 species of cactus currently endangered in the United States, with many more threatened worldwide. What do you view as the biggest threat to preserving native cacti?
Ted: I have long been actively involved in cactus conservation, both domestically and worldwide. I believe there are two major threats to the longterm survival of cacti in the wild. First, habitat destruction is certainly taking its toll. Human activities such as agriculture, road construction, and, urban development are destroying natural habitats, and the flora and fauna within. Salvage operations should be strongly encouraged and facilitated by governments. Second, illegal collecting is another serious problem, both in the U.S. and in other countries. Such activities are prohibited and the laws should be enforced. Also, commercial nurseries should be encouraged to grow and make available rare cacti for the trade. This will surely reduce the pressure on wild populations.
TP: Your research has led you to some exotic and remote locations. Are there areas that you intend to explore further?
Ted: By all means! Fieldwork is one of my great joys. In fact, I am writing this from Mexico, where I am doing fieldwork studying rare cacti. I very much want to return to South America and study the cacti in Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru. Much work remains to be done, and answers to many scientific questions can be found only by looking at the plants in their natural environment.
TP: What advice would you offer to someone new to growing cacti?
Ted: I would suggest they join a local cactus club and the national Cactus and Succulent Society. Within these groups, cactus enthusiasts will find many experts with similar interests.
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