581.97: Cactus Grabber

North American Wildflowers by Mary Vaux Walcott, 1925

Mary Vaux Walcott was an American artist and naturalist who was fascinated by nature, and is most remembered for her sensitive and accurate watercolor paintings of wildflowers (although, there is also a mountain named after her, which, I mean—that’s kind of a big deal, right?).

In 1925, the Smithsonian Institution published Walcott’s North American Wildflowers.  This five-volume set contains 400 unbound prints from her original paintings, along with descriptions of the flowers, and some of her personal anecdotes from the field.   

Pictured above is Walcott’s elegant interpretation of our own bristly beauty–the Missouri Prickly Pear Cactus (Plate 35).  As the name suggests, the plant is native to Missouri, but it actually has a wide range throughout the Eastern and Central United States.  It is most common in rocky, dry areas.

Of the Prickly Pear, Walcott writes,

“The flowers are so beautiful that one forgets the wicked spines and the still more dangerous spicules…until one endeavors to gather them”

…so take it from Mary…This Spring, look but don’t touch! These cacti don’t play.  

The book is part of the “stacks” (old, cool, and important books) at the Central Library, which is currently closed for restoration.  However, if you’re interested in seeing Walcott’s other flowers, email Librarian Brian Novak to make an appointment to see the book at another St. Louis Public Library Branch.