Prepared by David Hunt and a global network of expert, this is an essential reference for scientists, nurserymen and collectors, and the standard tool of CITES and enforcing agencies controlling the international trade in cacti.

Intended as a reference for checking currently accepted names and the distribution of plants, it is divided into three parts:

1. an alphabetical listing of all accepted names in current usage
2. reference data and alphabetical listing arranged in geographical distribution of taxa
3. an area checklist by country