Written by Vicky Ramakka, who lives in the northwestern corner of New Mexico, this plant-based mystery introduces Millie Whitehall, a newly minted botanist with a summer job far from her native New Jersey. Millie’s sharp eye for plant identification introduces the reader to native New Mexican plants (especially cacti and succulents), the sometimes uneasy compromises inherent in non-compatible land use issues, and the very real issues of plant smuggling.
Everyone who attended reported that they enjoyed the book very much. Given that we’re all plant people, the participants especially liked the ‘scientific’ description of plants. One woman had worked on the Navajo Reservation told us the Navajo aspects of the story brought back memories for her. She reported that the author, Vicky Ramakka, described that culture well.
We went through some of the author’s questions for book groups. The most discussion was generated over how quickly Millie was accepted with people feeling it might be unrealistic for an outsider to become part of the group so quickly. We then found a number of reasons why that might happen, mostly because of Millie’s open and friendly personality. We also wanted to know why she wasn’t offered the botanist position that had been Herb’s when she was leaving…. I emailed Vicky with our question and she replied: “You may pass on to the group that the reason the area manager didn’t offer Millie a job is that any federal position needs to go through a lengthy application process (to avoid favoritism, etc.).”
I believe we’re all looking forward to the future adventures of Millie. Vicky has generated believable characters and our readers want to know more! In her reply to me, she also hinted that there’s most likely a second Millie adventure in the works. We can’t wait!
The novel also included a bibliography: several of the books are in our CAGC Library and available for checkout. The Dick-Peddie book is something of a classic, out of print, and hard to find. We do have a copy in our reference section – available to read in the library but not for checkout.
In addition to being an engaging and easy read, the novel includes a number of opportunities to learn more about endangered species, plant theft, the complicated dance of multiple land uses in New Mexico, cryptobiotic crusts, and plants used as dyes, to name just a few.
Here are the links and videos I showed during our discussion. Plus, of course, a couple more I have added since then.
Well pads: photos, not video
Fracking/well map
supplemental information on fracking from the Global Energy Monitor Wiki:
what’s involved in a drilling permit
what’s involved literally in applying for a permit in NM
Cryptobiotic crust: Youtube video, length 4:08
Cactus and succulent theft: Al Jazeera story Youtube video, length 2:20
Saguaro chipping: Youtube video, length 2:25
Article on smuggling (a true story) with comments by Steven Brack, an Albuquerque resident and former owner of Mesa Garden greenhouses in Belen.
An article on why plant smuggling is such big business with an interview with Woody Minnich. Woody was the long-time owner of the nursery Cactus Data Plants and a respected international speaker, whose articles (and photography) have been widely disseminated. He and his wife live in Cedar Grove, NM.
NM State Forestry in EMNRD (energy, minerals, natrural resources department) threatened and endangered plants link.
Something I had never really thought about – plants are living and have food, water, light, etc needs to stay alive. Retrieving plants from smugglers is only the first step of a long process.
THIS LINK IS BROKEN AND I CAN’T FIND ANYTHING TO REPLACE IT (7 July 2022). I HOPE THIS DOESN’T BODE POORLY FOR THE STATUS OF PLANT RESCUE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL… Rescue plant centers: https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/factsheet-plant-rescue-center-program.pdf – information from fish and wildlife service (FWS)
This National Geographic link, however, still works.
Etymology for the cactus and succulent genera
https://cactiguide.com/etymology_genera/
And another one…
Distinguishing between cacti and succulents
Helpful diagram of the parts of the cactus plant and flower http://www.desert-scape.com/Cactus_diagram.jpg
Interesting links I came across: Plants are cool too series