Database Usage Hints


Please read these notes very carefully. We take a personal interest in making the handling of our database as easy and self-explaining as possible.


Basic Remarks


This database is 1) a collection of our own color fotos taken in habitat, and 2) a collection of data from the scientific literature and from experiences which we or one of our friends made with the cultivation of these plants. We sometimes publish opinions scientists probably don't always agree with. We are well aware that we (and probably many of you who use this database) are no professional botanists and that for this reason our opinions are scientifically of no importance. Our goal is to visit all the described plants of the families of the American Agavaceae and Crassulaceae in habitat and to document them with good color pictures. To succeed and reach this goal we still need to do a lot of traveling. After about nine years of traveling we have managed to document about half of the species in this plant family. There's a lot left to do! That's why we ask for some understanding if the database construction will proceed gradually and slowly. In any case we always enjoy suggestions, opinions, and also positive or negative criticism. Our mailbox is always open for your messages. If somebody has an interest in helping us with this database, please contact us (but please read the chapter "Collaboration" (see below) first).


Choices


The plant database can be viewed in three different ways.
1. The first choice includes all currently valid plant names, alphabetically sorted, but without the taxonomically unresolved species. On many of the single-plant species pages data might be shown even if we have NOT YET visit this location. If that is the case there's no picture material available yet.
2. The second choice includes all currently valid plant names, alphabetically sorted, and including the taxonomically unresolved species (marked with a "?" in front of the plant name). On many of the single-plant species pages data might be shown even if we have NOT YET visit this location. If that is the case there's no picture material available yet.
3. The third choice shows ALL EVER published names, including synonyms and unresolved species. The synonyms are shown in italic letters and are marked with a leading asterisk. If you click on one of these links, the currently VALID plant name will be shown. It is possible that a synonym is missing - we would appreciate it very much if you would send us a message with the name and the source of the first description! The taxonomically unresolved species are marked with a "?". With a separate program function you can look up the actual plant name by entering an old name. That works on family level and switches the database system to another genus if necessary.
4. The forth choice only shows the plants we have already documented in habitat. This function is especially useful for the plant lover interested in seeing many pictures.
5. Modifications and additions in descriptions, texts, pictures, or data can now easily be seen with the color blocks on the plant choice list in front of the plant names. Red stands for a recently described species, green for newly added text, and blue for new pictures.


Construction of the Single-Plant Page


The construction of the single-plant-page is optimized for a screen resolution of 1280x1024 pixels (XGA) or more. Please use (if possible) at least 32K color setting or better. The page is divided into different parts.
1. In the center you see the plant name (an "x" in front of the name means "hybrid"), the author of the first description, a short description and a typical picture from the type locality. Below that we show the publication of the first description and, if existent, the synonyms. If there are more publications available, they are shown in the same place. If these links are shown in grey color and turn red when moving the mouse over them, then the links lead to the corresponding descriptions.
2. Below the photo you find all basic data in different blocks, like Herbaria, Collections, Basic Data, Habitat Pictures, Horticultural Data, and Horticultural Data. You can click on one of the blocks to see th information.
3. Under Habitat Pictures you can see up to 15 thumbnail pictures taken at the natural location. You can see a bigger-sized picture of all these photos by clicking on one of the thumbnail photos.
4. Under Horticultural Pictures you can see up to 15 pictures of plants in culture. These pictures were taken in botanical gardens or private collections. They can also be made bigger by a mouse-click.


The Picture Data


Up to 15 pictures of the plant in its natural locality and up to 15 pictures of plants in culture are shown at the bottom in thumbnail size. One each of a young plant, an adult plant, the inflorescence and the flower in detail within the locality picture section. Up to a maximum of 11 to 15 more pictures are shown under the term "Various" in either section. If you click on one of those small pictures you will receive an enlarged view (please note the slow loading process with a slow Internet connection. Most of the big pictures have a size of 50-60KB!) in a separate browser window. Please close this window manually if you want to proceed by clicking the lower right corner X button.


The First Description


If the first description is marked as a grey and (with mouse contact) red shining link, you can click on it to see the scientic first description in a smaller separate browser window. Please close this window manually if you want to proceed by clicking the lower right corner X button.


The Synonyms


If the synonyms are shown shining in grey and (with mouse contact) red, you can click on them and you can see the first description in a smaller separate browser window. Please close this window manually if you want to proceed by clicking the lower right corner X button.


The References to Further Reading


If available, more references for literature are shown here. If the references to further reading are shown as a grey and (with mouse contact) red link, you can click on them and the text will be shown in a smaller, additional browser-window. Please close this window manually if you want to proceed by clicking the lower right corner X button.


The Switch Panel


The switch panel is always shown in the top and bottom zones (always in the same position). The top link leads to the next higher level (choice of the plant names), the left link leads to the alphabetically previous plant and the right link to the alphabetically following plant. For better orientation the links are placed in a block with different background color. Please note that it's impossible with the synonyms (where actually the currently valid data will be shown) to leaf through in sequence.


The Basic Data


We show the following basic data
1. Subgenus (if any)
2. Section (if any)
3. Maximum diameter - this number can be very helpful in the planning of a garden. It helps planning on how much space a plant needs to reach its real size (which, btw, can normally only be reached if the plant does not have to live in a pot!)
4. Reproduction - a very helpful information for all of those who want to cultivate plants from seed
5. Common name - used by local people (if known).


The Natural Habitat


In this section we describe the circumstances at the natural habitat of the plant. This information can be very helpful for choosing the right place for a plant in cultivation.


The Cultivation Hints for the Summer


The most important cultivation hints for the summer include
1. Choice of the locality - very important to give the plant optimal conditions
2. Watering - how much should you water your plant
Different natural conditions ask for different conditions in cultivation. This especially applies to the factors light, air, and water. In principle this means: it's better to provide more light than not enough, if possible a lot of air/wind, and depending on the natural locality watering moderately to a lot in summer


The Cultivation Hints for the Winter


The most important cultivation hints for the winter include
1. Minimum temperature - a very important number to save the more sensitive plants from frost damage
2. Humidity of the soil - how much should, if at all, be watered
Different natural conditions ask for different conditions in cultivation also in winter. Some of these plants need a minimum soil humidity in winter. Others in turn will be damaged if the soil is not kept completely dry during the winter months. Especially in Central Europe it's very important that the plants get as much light and air as possible. Every beautiful plant will become stunted if it has to spend the winter in the basement!


The Remarks


These are personal remarks, sometimes adopted from other people, if we think they are correct according to our own experience.


The Copyright


All the picture material and all the data on this website are legally protected. We don't mind if someone wants to use our data in some form. But this REQUIRES a personal approach, a written approval from our side, and the citing of the source (with names etc.). If you want to use our data/pictures within a publication we would appreciate to get a copy of it. We will legally pursue all publication without our approval.


The Collaboration


We would be very pleased if you would actively collaborate in the construction of this data base in some sort. Of course this has to be a voluntary and free of charge collaboration since we don't benefit from the data base either. The published pictures must meet some quality standards and they must also correspond with the formats for web-publication. We will of course quote all the contributing people in words and pictures on our collaborator-page (the pictures will be marked with a copyright remark). We would also be very thankful to find people who would contribute by helping to find still missing literature, if necessary copying, scanning, optically recognizing and proof-reading. If you're interested, please contact us via e-mail so that we can talk about the possibilities of a contribution. We look forward to hearing from you!