Xerophilia NR 6 PDF

Vol. 2, No.
3 (6) September 2013 1

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Summary
Xero - Arts
A Prickly Infatuation (Romanian abstract) pag. 52
by Athena Mantle, USA
Contributions
Flowering South African Crassula (Romanian abstract) pag. 5
by Judd Kirkel Welwitch, South Africa
Eriosyce napina ssp. Challensis in habitat and cultivation

by Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa, Chile (Romanian abstract) pag. 38 Front cover: Aztekium valdezii
(Photo Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun)
Tristerix aphyllus an exotic cactus parasite pag. 48
by Jn Baran, Slovakia (Romanian abstract)
Xero - Files
Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus pag. 18
by Pedro Njera Quezada et al., Mxico
Aztekium valdezii dossier

Interview with Dr. Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas, Mxico pag. 24
by Dag Panco, Romania
Interview with Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun, Mxico pag. 26
by Dag Panco, Romania Back cover: Aeonium urbicum
(Photo Albert Leroy)
Our Special Guests
Interview with Ray Stephenson, United Kingdom pag. 45
by Eduart Zimer, New Zealand
The passion for cacti and other succulents
Botanical Gardens & Collections
Founders and Senior Editors:
Alfriston Botanic Gardens (part 3) (Romanian) pag. 62
Eduart Zimer - Director and Editor (English)
by Eduart Zimer, New Zealand
Dag Panco - PR (Romanian)
Travelogues Valentin Posea - Graphic layout and photo
processing
Tenerife is not only a holiday destination! pag. 33
by Albert Leroy, Belgium (Romanian abstract) Associate Editor: Pedro Njera Quezada
(Spanish)
The readers diary Articles and other contributions, photos or other materials are always
welcome! Please send them to the email address below. The Editorial
Team will examine them carefully and decide on publication in one of the
Ariocarpus et cetera - the special, smaller genera of Mexican cacti upcoming issues. The next issue is scheduled to appear on December
2013.
by John Pilbeam and Bill Weightman pag. 54
The Editorial Team does not assume any responsibility for copyright; the
entire responsibility is resting with the authors. By simply submitting the
Bits and Pieces papers for publication the authors confirm that they are the legal copyright
holders. Opinions expressed by the authors in the journal are not necessarily
those of the members of Editorial Team. The Editorial Team is committed not
A Tour with Judd pag. 31 to use the material entrusted them in any other way except for publishing
them in the Xerophilia journal. Small alterations may be made; however, for
by Judd Kirkel Welwitch, South Africa any major change we will seek the authors acceptance.
Cacti on trees pag. 67 All rights reserved no part of this publication may be
reproduced in any forms or by any means, without
by Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez, Mxico
written permission of the Editor.
On line magazines pag. 69
xerophilia@xerophilia.ro
Website Stories pag. 71
Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 2

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Editorial 6
At 15 months after releasing the first issue of the journal I want to point
out the evolution of our editorial line but also regarding the collaboration with a
wide range of authors. By directly comparing the first issue and the 6th is can be
easily observed that - primarily conceptual, but also concerning the editorial quality
there are publications of a whole different level. With every issue we changed
something ... sometimes changes were less obvious, sometimes the difference was
immediately noticeable for our readers. We tried and we finally managed not to
stick to a fixed publishing outline, inflexible... and maybe this was just our secret
"formula". We didnt stop here and therefore you will find more important changes
in this issue, underlining our efforts!
In time, we had to carefully reevaluate based on feedback every issue, especially in regards of its bilingual character.
Initially we started as a Romanian magazine intended mainly for the Romanian readers, which, according to the
content and the nature of the collaborations, could have been translated into English in full or only abbreviated.
But pretty soon we realized that on the one hand, there is significant interest coming from foreign readers, and, on
the other hand, we noted the existence of a Romanian core interested in the magazine, regardless of the weight of
the English text. Coupled with the growing number of foreign collaborators (*), our editorial team decided to
increase weight of the English text and, at the same time, to reduce the weight of the Romanian text. However, this
wasnt a new idea: it was a natural and gradual process, although not an absolute priority for us, but we could not
ignore the necessity of reviewing the bilingual aspect.
So you dont get me wrong: we didnt turn our backs to the Romanian cactus enthusiasts. The best proof is our first
special issue Mnctorii de Piatr / The Stone Eaters, just recently released, written exclusively by Romanian
authors and which was prepared first as a full Romanian version. We hope we can repeat such special issues if we get
the required collaboration from Romanian authors. However, in order to have more important articles in Romanian
language in our regular issues, these have to be written first by the Romanian authors.
As a notable change, we welcome the appearance of a new permanent section Xero-Files, co-ordinated by our
colleague Pedro Njera Quezada. In this issue we present the iconic Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. bravoanus! More, as a
result of the recent description of Aztekium valdezii, we also introduce a temporary section Aztekium valdezii
dossier, intended to bring to the attention of responsible cactus enthusiasts and habitat conservation authorities
issues like species and habitat protection, controlled seed production and in vitro plant propagation, and unfortunate
events like habitat looting and illegal seed and plants trade.
As always at the end of the editorial - we want to thank, once again, from the bottom of our hearts, to our loyal
readers from all over the world, from over 97 countries and territories, and to all our collaborators for this new issue!
These are the ones who allowed us this time to share the knowledge: Albert Leroy, Belgium/Tenerife; Athena
Mantle, Sunland, California; Carlos Alonso Hidalgo, Villa of San Pedro de La Paz, Chile; Carlos Gerardo Velazco
Macas, Nuevo Leon, Mxico; Claudia Lpez Martinez, San Luis Potosi, Mxico; Jn Baran, Zvolen, Slovakia; Josef
Odehnal, Brno, Czech Republic; Jovana Jaime Hernndez, San Luis Potosi, Mxico; Judd Kirkel Welwitch,
Johannesburg, South Africa; Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun, Nuevo Leon, Mxico; Pedro Njera Quezada, San Luis
Potosi, Mxico; Ray Stephenson, Choppington, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom; Ricardo Daniel Raya
Sanchez, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mxico; Sandi Karina Neri Cardona, San Luis Potosi, Mxico.
(*) In the months since, we got to actually convinced that terms such as "Romanian", "foreign", "domestic", "from
abroad", etc. start having increasingly less substance. Our passion is universal!
Eduart
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Editorial 6
La 15 luni de la apariia primului numr al revistei doresc s subliniez
evoluia avut, att n plan editorial, ct i n ceea ce privete nivelul colaborrilor.
Punnd fa n fa primul numr al revistei i al 6-lea, se observ conceptual n
primul rnd, dar i n ceea ce privete calitatea editorial c sunt reviste de un
nivel total diferit. La fiecare numr am schimbat cte ceva uneori a fost mai puin
evident, alteori diferena a fost imediat vizibil. Am ncercat i am reuit s nu ne
marginim la o schem editorial fix, rigid i poate c tocmai aceasta a fost
formula noastr secret. Nici acest numr nu dezminte eforturile noastre: vei gsi
schimbri importante!
n timp, a trebuit s reevalum, la fiecare numr, elementul bilingv al revistei. Iniial

am pornit s facem o revist romneasc la care, n funcie de coninut i de natura colaborrilor, s existe o
traducere integral sau parial n limba englez. Am observat ns destul de repede c, pe de o parte, exist un
interes semnificativ venit din partea cititorilor strini; pe de alt parte, am remarcat existena unui nucleu de cititori
romani interesai de revist, indiferent de ponderea avut de textul n limba englez. Coroborat cu numrul tot mai
mare de colaboratori strini (*), redacia noastr a luat decizia amplificrii ponderii textului n limba englez i
restrngerea corespunzatoare a ponderii textului n limba romn. Decizia nu este fructul unei idei noi: a fost un
proces natural i gradual, din care noi nu ne-am fcut o prioritate absolut, dar pe care nici nu am putut s-l ignorm.
Ca s nu fiu neles greit: nu ntoarcem spatele cactofililor romni. Cea mai bun dovad este numrul nostru special
Mnctorii de Piatr/The Stone Eaters, scris exclusiv de autori romni i care a avut o variant integral n limba
romn. Sperm s mai putem repeta, un astfel de numr special, dac va exista colaborarea romneasc necesar.
n cazul numerelor obinuite ns, pentru a putea include n articole importante, n limba romn, acestea
vor trebui s fie mai nti scrise de romni.
Ca schimbare notabil, salutm apariia unei noi seciuni permanente, sub ngrijirea colegului nostru Pedro Njera
Quezada, intitulat Xero-Files. Debutm n acest numr cu prezentarea prestigiosului Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp.
bravoanus! n plus, ca urmare a recentei descrieri a Aztekium valdezii, mai introducem o rubric temporar Aztekium
valdezii dossier, menit s aduc n atenia colecionarilor responsabili i a organismelor de conservare a mediului
subiecte legate de protecia speciei i a habitatului, producerea controlat de semine i plante, dar i evenimente
nefaste cum ar fi jefuirea habitatului i vnzri ilegale de plante i semine din natur.
Ca de fiecare dat, la finalul Editorialului dorim s le mulumim, nc o dat, din inim, cititorilor notri fideli de pe
toate meridianele lumii, din peste 95 de ri i teritorii, precum i tuturor colaboratorilor notri pentru acest nou
numr! Iat-i deci, pe cei ce fac posibil, de ast dat, mprirea cunoaterii: Albert Leroy, Belgia/Tenerife; Athena
Mantle, Sunland, California, SUA; Carlos Alonso Hidalgo, Villa of San Pedro de La Paz, Chile; Carlos Gerardo Velazco
Macas, Nuevo Leon, Mexic; Claudia Lpez Martinez, San Luis Potosi, Mexic; Jn Baran, Zvolen, Slovacia; Josef
Odehnal, Brno, Republica Ceh; Jovana Jaime Hernndez, San Luis Potosi, Mexic; Judd Kirkel Welwitch,
Johannesburg, Africa de Sud; Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun, Nuevo Leon, Mexic; Pedro Njera Quezada, San Luis
Potosi, Mexic; Ray Stephenson, Choppington, Northumberland, Anglia; Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez, Celaya,
Guanajuato, Mexic; Sandi Karina Neri Cardona, San Luis Potosi, Mexic
(*) n lunile care au trecut am ajuns s ne convingem practic c termeni ca romni, strini, autohtoni, de peste
hotare, etc. ncep s aib din ce n ce mai puin substan. Pasiunea noastr este universal!
Eduart
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Contributions
Judd Kirkel Welwitch
Judd is a qualified Botanical Horticulturist. Who specializes in the study of
succulents, and is currently Chairman of the Johannesburg Succulent Society
of South Africa. He has delivered numerous popular talks on wildflowers and
succulents for many of the botanical societies and events around the country.
Judd is also a very experienced traveller, keen botanist, excellent
photographer, entertaining personality and, most of all, a wildflower and
succulent expert. He speaks with authority on Southern African vegetation.
His field trips and Tours are very informative and will leave you with memories
with a chance of a lifetime experience. juddkirkel@yahoo.com
My fascination with flowers started so early in life that I barely remember how
or why it began. As a child I scouted the growing garden - smelling flowers,
always taking plants back to the garden and watching the transformation
from seed to flower. Armed with a spade and fork, I looked in the wild for the
rarest species in order to own! Today I have a different way to collect these
trophies...... through Knowledge and Photography! Let see together ten flowering Crassula species from the South-
African flora!
Flowering South African Crassula
1. Crassula mesembrianthemopsis Dinter (1923)
Section Argyrophylla
Distribution: I have found very small plants with rosette
leaves east of the Town of Pofadder in the Northern
Cape, SA. Pofadder has an array of other interesting
succulents and these crassulas were growing under the
gravel and were relatively small. I was not expecting to
see them so I was quite surprised when I saw several
plants here. This species is recorded from western
central Namibia near Cape Cross to near Witptz, and
from near the Orange River Mouth as far east as near
Kenhard. They are typically found growing in sandy or
gravelly soil in quartzite gravel and also in areas with
surface limestone.
Description: Perennial plant with thick underground
stem up to 2.5 cm long, with one to few dense rosettes.
Plants are normally only seen with their leaf tips above
the gravel and most of the plant is underground. This
makes the plant very cryptic in the wild.
Leaves sessile, arranged spirally, 1 2 cm long, 0.3 0.6
cm wide and thick at the truncate apex, almost
triangular in section, wedge-shaped to almost
obpyramidal, gradually tapering towards the base,
covered with small, hard, round papillae mainly on
exposed surfaces, often clearly clustered around
hydathodes; colour green to brown or grey-green when
covered with papillae; old leaves persistent. Fig. 1 Crassula mesembryanthemopsis
Pofadder, Northern Cape

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Judd Kirkel Welwitch - Flowering South African Crassula
Fig. 2, 3 Crassula mesembryanthemopsis Pofadder, Northern Cape
Inflorescence ia a terminal round topped compact dichasium, suppressed and partially hidden by the leaves.
Flowers shortly pedicellate, corolla tubular, sepals 2.5 3.5 mm long, oblong-triangular, apex rounded or bluntly
acute, with few short scattered hairs towards apex, marginal cilia spreading, fleshy, green, petals 5 6 (-7) mm long,
narrowly oblong, somewhat hooded, with indistinct dorsal appendage, white to cream, anthers yellow.
The flowers are strongly scented towards the evening.
Flowering time: March to May.
2. Crassula namaquensis ssp. comptonii (Hutchison & Pillans) Tlken, 1975

Section Argyrophylla
Synonym: Crassula comptonii Hutchison & Pillans (1946)
Distribution: I manged to locate Plants on the
Bokkeveld escarpment in S.A.-Northern Cape near the
town of Nieuwoudtville. Plants are growing usually on
shallow soil on rocks of Table Mountain sandstone.Its
the depressions of gravel that accumulate and are
perfect habitat for this species. Comptons Corner on
the Van Rhyns Pass is the famous locality for this
species, however injudicious and illegal plant collecting
has caused numbers to drastically drop here.
Description: Perennial plants. A dwarf tufted perennial
to 10cm with a compact mound of leafy heads with very
conspicuous papillate hairs on the leaves themselves.
The basal rosettes consist of short branches 1 2 (-3)
mm in diameter below the leaves.
Leaves: 4 10 (-15) mm long, oblanceolate to almost Fig. 4 Crassula namaquensis ssp. comptonii - Bokkeveld plateau
obpyramidal, obtuse, triangular to almost terete.
long or about twice as long as the broadened part of the
Inflorescence is a terminal thyrse with 1 (-3) dichasia,
petals below, yellow, rarely white; anthers yellow.
peduncle 15 30 (-50) mm long.
Flowering time: September to October.
Flowers sessile, corolla 3 5 mm long, petals narrowly
oblanceolate-panduriform with beak-like apex ca. 2 mm

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3. Crassula plegmatoides H.-C.Friedrich, 1967
Section Arta
Synonyms: Crassula pseudocolumnaris Dinter (1931)
Crassula arta sensu Jacobsen
Crassula deltoidea sensu Schnland & Baker
Distribution: These Photos were taken in the Western
Richtersveld region (Alexander bay) they grow on gentle
slopes near summit of hills in quartzite gravel. They are
also found in loose sands associated around and in close
proximity the Orange River in this Western Region. The
distribution is mainly in a narrow coastal strip from near
Port Nolloth to the Buchu Mountains in Namibia. I also
found plants growing in the sensitive Lichen fields
around Alexander Bay.
Description: Perennial plant, erect or decumbent with
age, 15 cm high when flowering, and stems rarely
branched, with short hairs.
Leaves broadly ovate, 0.5 - 0.9 cm long, 0.7 - 1.3 cm
wide, apex bluntly acute, concave above and convex
below, closely appressed around the stem, forming a 4-
angled column 1 - 1.5 (- 2) cm in diameter, exposed
surfaces densely covered with spherical papillae, colour
grey (or grey-green). Fig. 5 Crassula plegmatoides - Western Richtersveld
Fig. 6 Crassula plegmatoides - Western Richtersveld

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Inflorescence is a terminal thyrse with spreading

branches ending in dichasia with 4 - 8 sessile flowers,
peduncle 3 - 6 cm long with short recurved hairs, bracts
oblong-triangular, apex bluntly acute.
Flowers: Sepals triangular, 1.5 - 2 mm long, bluntly
acute, covered with short spreading hairs, marginal cilia,
fleshy, grey-green, petals oblong, 2 - 3 mm long, apex
obtuse, with more or less conspicuous dorsal
appendages, tips recurved, colour cream to pale yellow,
anthers brown.
Flowering time: March to April
Similar species:
Crassula plegmatoides is similar to Crassula deceptor
but is easily distinguished by its adpressed leaf apices;
please see respective photographs where this is quite
evident.
Fig. 7 Crassula plegmatoides - Western Richtersveld
4. Crassula alba var. alba Forsskal, 1775

Section Rosulares
Synonyms:
Crassula rubicunda var. rubicunda
Rochea dichotoma Hochstetter in herb. Schimper (s.a.)
Rochea vaginata Hochstetter in herb. Schimper (s.a.)
Crassula puberula R. Brown (1814)
Globulea stricta Drge (1843)
Crassula abyssinica A. Richard (1847)
Crassula rubicunda Drge ex Harvey (1862)
Crassula recurva N. E. Brown (1890)
Crassula milleriana Burtt Davy (1926) / Crassula
rubicunda v. milleriana (Burtt Davy) Schnland (1929)
Crassula stewartiae Burtt Davy (1926)
Crassula rubicunda var. flexuosa Schnland (1929)
Crassula rubicunda var. hispida Schnland (1929)
Crassula rubicunda var. subglabra Schnland (1929)
Crassula rubicunda var. typica Schnland (1929)
Distribution: Widespread and variable from Eastern
South Africa northwards to Ethiopia and into Yemen and
Arabia normally in high-montane grasslands, flowers in
mid-summer to autumn. I have found plants In the
Eastern regions of South Africa. The photos were taken
in a locality just south of Johannesburg near
Greylingstad. These plants had totally red flowers and
there was hardly any white inside the petals. The white
colour is how it gets its name, hence alba. Fig. 8 Crassula alba var. alba - Southern Gauteng

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The plants occurring more North of South Africa and into

North Africa are more white in colour. In other words the
more North you go in distribution, on the continent, the
more white the flowers get in colour. The more south you
go the flowers are redder in colour.
Description: Rosulate, usually solitary or proliferating from
the base to form small groups, to 50 cm tall (incl.
inflorescences), roots slightly fleshy.
Leaves 6 - 17 x 0.5 1.5 cm, spirally arranged, flattened,
lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, upper face folded to
channelled, glabrous, green to yellowish-green, sometimes
with purple spots, lower face purplish, margin ciliate, tip
acute.
Inflorescences are erect terminal flat-topped thyrses with
many dichasia, bracts leaf-like, becoming shorter upwards.
FIowers pedicellate, sepals to 5 mm, narrowly to broadly
triangular, margin distinctly ciliate, tips with apical sturdy
hairs, corolla red to white, tubular, to 6 mm, erect, petals
oblong-obovate, to 5.5 mm, fused shortly at the base,
spreading to recurved, tips acute and slightly cucullate, Fig. 9 Crassula alba var. alba - Southern Gauteng
anthers dark brown. Flowering time occurs from
midsummer to autumn.
5. Crassula columnaris ssp. prolifera H.-C. Friedrich, 1974

Section Columnares
Synonyms:
Tetraphyle columnaris var. prolifera (H.-C. Friedrich) P.
V. Heath (1993)
Crassula semi-orbicularis Ecklon & Zeyher (1837)
Crassula columnaris var. elongata E. Meyer ex Drge
(1843)
Common Names: Leather Button, Shaving Brush.
Distribution: S Namibia, SA (Northern Cape); Succulent
Karoo. I have found plants in South Africa from The
Knersvlakte region up into the Richtersveld region. They
tend to be a column and have offsets from the base; the
colour of the plants also ranges from greeny brown to a
sand brown or blackish colour.
This sub-species differs in distribution from ssp.
columnaris which mainly occurs in the Klein Karoo and
Southern part of the Cape and which is not found in the
far Northern Cape.
Only 1 2 cm in diameter, proliferating profusely from the
Fig. 10 Crassula columnaris ssp. prolifera - Northern Cape
base forming dense groups.
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Fig. 11, 12 Crassula columnaris ssp. prolifera - Northern Cape

Leaves lower face with a distinct keel.It is the keel or beak on the leaf tips that distinguish this sub species from one
another
Flowers: Corolla 7.5 9 mm. They are whitish in colour and sometimes buds are tinged with red or pink
Flowering time: Mid-winter to spring
6. Crassula macowaniana Schnland & Baker fil., 1899

Section Perfilatae
Synonyms:
Rochea perfoliata var. glaberrima E. Meyer ex Grge
(1844)
Crassula macowaniana var. crassifolia Schnland
(1912)
Distribution: This is an incredible species. I have found
Small plants in Northern Namaqualand and very large
plants in the Khamiesburg Mountains in Central
Namaqualand. The typical distribution is documented
from south-western Namibia to the Northern Cape,
where it is widespread in mountainous areas, growing
among boulders or on rocky slopes. If one looks at the
photographs you will see that almost all of the time
plants are found amongst boulders and cliffs. Fig. 13 Crassula macowaniana - Springbok

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Fig. 14 Crassula macowaniana - Springbok

Description: A shrubby species with finger-like leaves.
The Rounded and much-branched shrubs can reach a
height of 1.2 m tall.
Branches: Older branches woody with reddish-brown to
grey peeling bark, younger branches terete, 6 7 mm in
diameter.
Leaves 35 55 x 7 18 mm, variable in shape,
triangular-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, flattened to
subterete, green to grey-green, sometimes reddish or
with a reddish margin, often with powdery bloom,
upper face flat to convex, lower face convex, tip acute.
Inflorescences are terminal rounded thyrses, peduncle
3.5 5 cm, lower bracts erect, reddish, linear-
lanceolate, 10 mm, pedicels 1 2 mm.
Flowers: Sepals linear, 1mm, corolla stellate, to 7 mm in
diameter with short tube, petals shortly fused, white or
pink, 2.5 4 x 1.8 mm, oblanceolate, tips slightly
recurved, anthers black. The flowers are a dusty light
pinky and mostly white in colour.
Flowering period: October to December
Fig. 15 Crassula macowaniana - Springbok

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Fig. 16, 17 Crassula macowaniana - Khamiesburg Mountains
7. Crassula deceptor Schnland & Baker f., 1902
Section Arta
Synonyms:
Crassula cornuta Schnland & Baker fil. (1902)
Crassula arta (1929)
Crassula deceptrix Schnland (1929)
Distribution: Plants are known from Vanrhynsdorp to
southern Namibia and inland into Bushmanland up to
Kakamas; growing on quartzite outcrops and in shallow
soil on granite rocks.I have found plants at many
localities and they seem to be quite common within its
distribution range. The largest plant colonies I have seen
are in The richtersveld National Park. The photographs
shown with the largest clumps are taken in the park.
The Hydathodes (spots) are very typical and consistent
with this species. When blown up in a photo they look
most attractive. Fig. 18 Crassula deceptor - Northern Cape
Short description: Perennial plants, 15 cm high when above, very convex below, closely adpressed around
flowering, much branched, old leaves persistent. stem, forming clear 4-angled columns up to 2.5 cm in
Leaves sessile, broadly ovate, 0.6-1.5 (-2) cm long, 0.6-1 diameter, exposed surfaces densely papillose, green,
(-1.5) cm wide, acute or obtuse, flat or slightly concave grey or brown.
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Fig. 19, 20 Crassula deceptor - Northern Cape

Inflorescence a terminal thyrse with spreading branches with dense dichasia of sessile flowers, peduncle 2-8 cm long
and covered with rounded papillae, bracts short triangular with acute apex.
Flowers: Sepals oblong-triangular, ca. 1.5 mm long, obtuse, hairy (or papillose) with marginal cilia, petals oblong-
elliptic, 2-2.5 mm long, acute or obtuse, with dorsal appendage, tips recurved, colour cream fading to brown, anthers
brown.
Flowering time: January to March
When this species is compared to Crassula plegmatoides it is almost always that the hydathode spots are not found
on C .plegmatoides where they are almost always found on C. deceptor, I am not too sure if this is the case when
identifying plants in cultivation.
8. Crassula pyramidalis Thunberg, 1778

Section Columnares
Synonyms:
Purgosea pyramidalis (Thunberg) G. Don (1834) /
Tetraphyle pyramidalis (Thunberg)) Ecklon & Zeyher
(1837)
Tetraphyle quadrangula Ecklon & Zeyher (1837) /
Crassula quadrangula (Ecklon & Zeyher) Endlicher
ex Walpers (1843) / Tetraphyle pyramidalis var.
quadrangula (Ecklon & Zeyher) P. V. Heath (1993)
Crassula pyramidalis var. ramosa Schnland (1911)
Crassula cylindrica Schnland (1929) / Tetraphyle
pyramidalis var. cylindrica (Schnland) P. V. Heath
(1993)
Crassula archeri Compton (1931) / Tetraphyle Fig. 21 Crassula pyramidalis
pyramidalis var. archeri (Compton) P. V. Heath the ocean but alas it is on the ground. It is that strange.
(1993) If you can manage to cultivate this specimen you will
Distribution: Western Cape going into and towards the get lots of remarkable comments from admirers. I found
Eastern Cape of S.A. Mainly found in the Karoo. plants, flowering in their spectacular glory, just South of
Description: This is one of South Africas most Laingsburg in the Karoo. Plants are mostly erect to
fascinating Crassulas. It looks like some strange sea decumbent, sparingly branched, to 12 (-25) cm tall but
anemone above ground. One would expect to find it in variable in size.
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Roots fibrous, internodes completely covered by the

tightly clasping imbricate leaves in 4 ranks forming a
neat quadrangular oblong body to 12 mm in diameter,
tapering at the obtuse tip.
Leaves green to brownish-green, triangular-ovate, 3
12 x 4 8 mm, flat, ascending, margin entire, tip bluntly
acute.
Inflorescences: dense terminal rounded cymose
capitula, the basal part partly hidden by the leaves.
Flowers: Sepals to 5 mm, oblong-oblanceolate, margin
ciliate, tips obtuse, corolla tubular, ampulliform, to 14
mm, white or cream, petals oblong elliptic, fused in the
lower 1/3, tips with a blunt beak, anthers yellow.
Fig. 22, 23 Crassula pyramidalis
9. Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris Thunberg, 1778

Section Perfilataes
Synonyms:
Crassula punctata Miller (1768),
Crassula monticola N. E. Brown (1882)
Crassula perfossa sensu Ecklon & Zeyher (1837)
Distribution: Growing in regions of the Southern Cape
from Vanryhnsdorp to the Peninsular and across to
Grahamstown usually found on north or east facing lower
rocky ridges as well as in exposed positions amongst
Rocks and on top of ledges but mainly in semi-arid
regions.
Short description: Growing on north or east facing lower

rocky slopes as well as in exposed positions among
boulders and on top of ledges; occurring from
Vanrhynsdorp to the Cape Peninsular to Grahamstown,
but mainly in semi-arid regions of the central Cape. Fig. 24 Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris

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Perennial shrublets. The subsp. rupestris is very variable

in size and shape of the leaves and in how much leaf
bases are fused, up to 50 cm high, with erect, spreading
or rarely decumbent branches, usually more than 0.2
cm in diameter, not rooting.
Leaves: sessile, 0.5 1 (-1.5) cm long, (0.4-) 0.5 1 (1.5)

cm wide, apex obtuse, rarely rounded, bases fused into
a disc 0.1 0.6 cm long = less than half the length of the
leaf, ovate to lanceolate, flat or concave above, convex
below, fleshy, glabrous or with horny margin; colour
glaucous-green to brownish-red to purple with red or
yellow margin; internodes visible, old leaves deciduous.
Inflorescence: Thyrse with few to numerous dichasia,

2.5 4 (-5) cm in diameter, peduncle up to 2 cm long,
often hidden by upper leaves, bracts spatulate or
subulate, 0.3 cm long.
Flowers: pedicellate; sepals triangular, ca. 1 mm long,

acute, glabrous, fleshy, glaucous-green to reddish;
petals oblong-elliptic, 3 4 mm long, apex rounded,
with dorsal ridge, almost not appendaged, tips
recurved, colour white, more or less pinkish to reddish;
anthers brown, stigmas conspicuous.
Flowering time: June to October.
Fig. 25 - 27 Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris

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10. Crassula dichotoma L. 1760
Section Dinacria
Synonyms:
Vauanthes dichotoma (L.) Kuntze (1891)
Crassula retroflexa Thunberg (1778) / Grammanthes
retroflexa (Thunberg) Sweet (1830)
Crassula gentianoides Lamarck (1785) /
Grammanthes gentianoides (Lamarck) DC (1828)
Vauanthes chloraeflora Haworth (1821) /
Grammanthes chloraeflora (Haworth) DC (1828) /
Crassula chloraeflora (Haworth) D.Dietrich (1840) /
Grammanthes gentianoides var. chloraeflora
(Haworth) Harvey (1862)
Grammanthes gentianoides var. vera Harvey (1862)
Grammanthes chloraeflora var. caesia Hooker f. (1878)
Distribution: SA (Northern Cape, Western Cape); Strandveld
vegetation. I have found plants concentrated along the
Namaqualand Coastline in close proximity to the ocean.
Description: Erect glabrous dichotomously branched
annuals, 0.6 - 11.5 cm tall.
Roots fibrous.
Branches to 2 mm in diameter, terete.
Leaves 5 - 18 x 4 - 10 mm, ovate-lanceolate, elliptic to
obovate, somewhat cymbiform, purplish-green to grey-
green, ascending-spreading, lower leaves deciduous towards
anthesis, tips acute to obtuse.
Inflorescences: terminal thyrses, bracts 7 x 2 mm, lanceolate,
pedicels 2 - 7 mm.
Flowers: Sepals 7 mm, basally fused for 4 mm, tips succulent,
triangular-ovate, convex, closed corolla 20 mm, tubular,
petals 10 x 4 mm, lanceolate to elliptic, basally fused for 5 Fig. 28, 29 Crassula dichotoma
mm, It has an unmistakable looking yellow flower which can
be plain yellow in the centre or going to a red or deep orange
centre. It is most striking in cultivation.
References and acknowledgements

Books Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Crassulaceae editor Dr. Urs Eggli, Springer, 2003
Crassula: A growers guide Gordon Rowley, Cactus and co.Libri, 2003
A revision of the genus Crassula in Southern Africa, Tlken, H.R. Bolus, Herbarium, 1977
Many thanks to the following Friends for facilitating my encounters with some of these precious species:
Joan Faiola Trip to the Klein Karoo
Andrew Hankey Trip to the Khamiesburg, Namaqualand
Tim Peatling Trip to Namaqualand and coast.

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Contributions
Crassula Sud Africane nflorite
de Judd Kirkel Welwitch, Johannesburg, Africa de Sud
(Abstract)
Articolul prezint ntr-un mod foarte informativ i structurat 10 specii de Crassula, parte din ele fiind mai puin
cunoscute colecionarilor romni. Fotografiile prezint plante n habitat i inflorescenele acestora i ofer informaii
preioase privind caracteristicile habitatului:
1. Crassula mesembrianthemopsis Dinter, 1923 o miniatur cu tulpin subteran i rozete dense de frunze
suculente, ntlnit n jurul localitii Poffader, Northern Cape, dar cu populaii cunoscute i n Namibia.
Florile albe pn la crem, cu antere galbene, sunt puternic parfumate n orele serii. Crete n soluri pietroase
sau bogate n nisipuri cuaritice. Este una din speciile mai cunoscute.
2. Crassula namaquensis ssp. comptonii (Hutchison & Pillans) Tlken, 1975 plant ntlnit n jurul localitii
Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape, unde crete n soluri bogate n fragmente de gresie formate prin eroziune.
Florile sunt galbene, dar pot fi ocazional i albe. Foarte periclitat datorit colectrii ilegale ntr-una din
localitile cele mai faimoase - Comptons Corner - aflat n Van Rhyns Pass.
3. Crassula plegmatoides H.-C.Friedrich, 1967 ntlnit n principal pe o fie costal ngust n Western
Region, ntre Port Nolloth i Buchu Mountains (Namibia). Este similar ca aspect cu Crassula deceptor,
principalele diferene fiind absena hiatodelor (punctele de pe frunze) precum i de apexul frunzelor.
Comparnd fotografii ale celor dou specii aceste deosebiri devin foarte evidente.
4. Crassula alba var. alba Forsskal, 1775 o specie extrem de variabil, ntlnit pe un areal imens care se
ntinde din regiunile estice ale Africii de Sud, spre nord pn n Etiopia i Yemen. Numele alba provine de la
suprafaa superioar alb a petalelor, n realitate ns acestea pot fi mai mult sau mai puin albe, variind
foarte mult de la o form la alta, specimenelor prezentate (fotografiate la Greylingstad, la sud de
Johannesburg), lipsindu-le aproape complet albul. Variabilitatea speciei a condus la apariia, n timp, a
numeroase sinonime heterotipe.
5. Crassula columnaris ssp. prolifera H.-C. Friedrich, 1974 plant ntlnit n Namibia i Northern Cape. Planta
are tendina de a forma coloane nguste de numai 1 2 cm, cu frunze compacte, care pot lstri de la baz.
Culoarea poate varia de la verde-brun, pn la brun nisipos sau brun negricios. Florile sunt albe, dar bobocii
pot avea tonaliti de roz sau rou.
6. Crassula macowaniana Schnland & Baker fil., 1899 o plant spectaculoas, formnd uneori colonii
masive, rspndit n Namibia i Northern Cape. Formele nordice sunt mai mici, n timp ce cele sudice produc
specimene foarte mari (Khamiesburg Mountains n Namaqualand). Plantele cresc aproape mereu pe stnci
sau pe bolovani. Florile sunt mici, de culoare alb-roz prfuit.
7. Crassula deceptor Schnland & Baker f., 1902 specie destul de des ntlnit n colecii, rspndit n
Western Cape, Northern Cape i sudul Namibiei. Cresc de regul pe aflorimente cuaritice sau n soluri
subiri, pe un pat granitic. Hiatodele (punctele de pe frunze) sunt deosebit de atractive i pot fi un element
de identificare i care o deosebesc de Crassula plegmatoides.
8. Crassula pyramidalis Thunberg, 1778 este o specie clasic, ntlnit n Western Cape i Eastern Cape i este
o specie tipic de Karoo. Flori albe imaculate. Plantele sunt n general erecte pn la decumbente i pot
atinge 12-25 cm nlime. Cultivat corespunzator poate produce exemplare deosebit de spectaculoase.
Autorul a ntlnit plantele n plin glorie a nfloririi lor, la sud de Lainsburg n Karoo.
9. Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris Thunberg, 1778 este o alt specie clasic, foarte popular n colecii dar i
ca plant de gradin n regiuni cu climat blnd. Foarte rspandit n Southern Cape, dar prezent mai ales n
regiuni semi-aride. Crete de regul pe pante pietroase cu expunere estic, pe bolovani i cornie. Este o
specie deosebit de variabil, elementul de variabilitate fiind dat de forma i mrimea frunzelor, dar i de
msura n care acestea sunt fuzionate la baz. Unele forme sunt mai robuste, avnd tulpini erecte care
formeaz tufiuri nalte de pn la 50 cm.
10. Crassula dichotoma L. 1760 plant anual ntlnit n Northern Cape i Western Cape, cu populaii
concentrate n mod special n zona costal din Namaqualand, n proximitatea oceanului. Are o floare
inconfundabil, care poate fi complet galben sau cu centrul rou sau portocaliu. Dup cum indic i numele,
ramificarea se face dihotomic, plantele nu ating ns dect o nlime de 11,5 cm.

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Xero - Files
Pedro Njera Quezada et al. Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus
Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus H.M. Hern. & E.F. Anderson

Descriptive profile of the species
(original Spanish file)
by Pedro Njera Quezada, Jovana Jaime Hernndez, Claudia Lpez Martnez, Sandi Karina Neri Cardona
Description
Characteristics: Small cacti with the appearance of rosette shaped rocks, with a few triangular tubercles, finely
rugose, rough tissues, grey colored and characteristically papilose with a woolly tuft on every tubercle. Spines
absent, cryptic in habitat, imitates the surrounding substrate (Luthy, J. M., 2000) .
Fig. 1, 2 Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus El Nuez, Guadalcazar

Roots: Pivoting roots, branched from the subterranean base of the stem.
Stem: Simple, turnip-shaped, mostly subterranean, only the triangular tubercles emerge from the level of the soil in
habitat, 6 (-8.5) cm of diameter (including the tubercles)
Tubercles: Ascendent or erected more than flattened, triangular shaped, grey or dark green olive with reddish tints,
3.7 cm of length and 2 cm o width at the base, adaxial surface finely fissured, rudimentary grooved side and papillose
(depending on the size of the tubercle and the variability of the individual).
Areole: Woolly, round, located in the center of the concave top surface, is presented only on adult specimens.
Spines: Absent in adult specimens.
Flowers: Emerge from the apex of the stem, 2.5 cm of length, dark red-magenta colored.
Fruits: Dried and inconspicuous.
Seeds: Black colored and tubercle shaped.
Seedlings: Hypocotyls globose; with thin tubercles, ascendent, reddish to dark green colored, growing from the apex
of the hypocotyls, with a few softly spines (Luthy, J.M., 2000). Seedling of Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus, with
an age of approximately 5 years, presents a diameter of less than 4 cm and a height of less than 3 cm.
Fig. 3, 6 Stems and roots of young plants, a close-up areola and seeds of Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus
Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 18

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Fig. 7, 8 Approximately 5 years old plants in cultivation and in habitat
Habitat
The vegetation type corresponds to the microphyll (*) desert scrub sensu J. Rzedowski R. (1965); with the
dominance of Mezquite (Prosopis laevigata), gobernadora (Larrea tridentata), Izote (Yucca carnerosana) and
Krameria cytisoides as the most dominant plants.
The habitat also presents isolated patches of rosetophilous (**) desert scrub (Rzedowski 1965), on which can be
found a dominance of Lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla), Espadn (Agave striata) and Guapilla (Hechtia glomerata).
(*) Microphyll is a type of plant leaf, which has been defined as "an appendage supplied by a single, unbranched
vein" (Wikipedia).
(**) Rosetophilous means rosette-forming vegetation.
Fig. 9 The habitat Nuez, Guadalcazar, San Luis Potosi

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Distribution
This species is distributed only in the municipality of Guadalcazar in San Luis Potos State, on the geological corridor
between the Sierra los Librillos and Sierra la Trinidad, where there are areas of colluvium with mixtures of calcareous
and chalky material and with a slope of less than 25% and a very low content of organic matter and virtually absent
vegetative coverage on the areas where Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus grows, giving the appearance of
barren islands in the shrubland. The rainfall amount, in El Nuez, Guadalcazar, is about 700 mm; major falls are 50%
in summer and 25% in winter.
The potential area of distribution is approximately 1 km2 and the real occupation area is estimated on 0.13 km2 (H.
M. Hernndez et al. 2010).
Cacti present in the distribution area
Species that share habitat, approx. 200 m around Species found in the vicinity, on approx. 2 km radius
Coryphantha delicata Ariocarpus retusus
Cylindropuntia imbricata Astrophytum myriostigma var. strongylogonum
Cylindropuntia kleiniae Astrophytum myriostigma var. nudum
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis Coryphantha compacta
Cylindropuntia x perrita Coryphantha echinoidea
Cylindropuntia tunicata Coryphantha odorata
Echinocactus platyacanthus Coryphantha radians
Echinocereus pectinatus Echinocereus cinerascens
Echinocereus pentalophus Echinocereus parkeri ssp. gonzalezii
Ferocactus pilosus Epithelantha sp.
Ferocactus hamatacanthus Lophophora williamsii
Neolloydia conoidea Mammillaria compressa ssp. centralifera
Opuntia microdasys Mammillaria heyderi
Opuntia stenopetala Mammillaria formosa
Thelocactus hexaedrophorus Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Sclerocactus uncinatus Stenocactus sp.
Leuchtenbergia principis Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus ssp. klinkerianus
Mammillaria candida Turbinicarpus schwarzii
Other flora present in the distribution area

Flora considered important to refer, either due to their presence in NOM 059, for its endemic character, for its
rarity or for its economical value
Family Species
Asparagaceae Dasylirion palaciosii Rzed.
Acanthaceae Carlowrightia serpyllifolia A. Gray
Burseraceae Bursera schlechtendalii Engl.
Crassulaceae Echeveria lutea Rose
Crassulaceae Echeveria paniculata var. maculata (Rose) Kimnach
Crassulaceae Echeveria unguiculata Kimnach
Cucurbitaceae Ibervillea lindheimieri var. tenuisecta (A. Gray) M.C.
Fabaceae Johnst.potosina (Britton and Rose) Standl.
Senna
Fouquieriaceae Fouquieria splendens Engl.
Krameriaceae Krameria navae Rzed.
Lamiaceae Clinopodium micromerioides (Hemsl.) Govaerts
Lentibulariaceae Pinguicula ehlersiae Speta et Fuchs.
Lentibulariaceae Pinguicula esseriana B. Kirchn.
Oleaceae Fraxinus potosina Brandg.
Passifloraceae Turnera diffusa Wild. Ex Schult.
Pinaceae Pinus pinceana Gordon et Glend.
Rosaceae Lindleya mespilioides (Kunth) Rydb.
Scrophulariaceae Leucophyllum revolutum Rzed.

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Fig. 10 In the land of Yucca carnerosana

Particularly the genus Ariocarpus has a grade of cripticism, which makes more difficult their observation when the
plants are not in the flowering season. This is one of the reasons why they are considered living stones. Its efficiency
as a cryptic species and its reduced area of distribution were the fundamental factors for it to remain hidden to
science, until the publication by Hernndez and Anderson in Bradleya No.10 in 1992.
Fig. 11, 13 The genus Ariocarpus has a grade of cripticism, which makes more difficult their observation...

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History
The plant was discovered by accident at the early 90s on removed soil while Hernndez tried to collect another
species of cacti, a bigger one (Stenocactus sp.). After detailed observation the plant proved to be a new species of
Ariocarpus having a high affinity with Ariocarpus fissuratus var. hintonii (Stuppy & N.P. Taylor) E.F. Anderson & W.A.
Fitz Maur which is distributed about 75 km to the north.
The new species was named in honor of Helia Bravo Hollis (1901-2001), emeritus researcher and doctor honoris
causa, UNAM), who greatly contributed to the knowledge of Mexican cacti.
After its description in 1992, many wild collected plants and seeds were observed in illegal international commerce.
The demand of the plant by collectors is very high and any legal exportation from Mxico (except for scientific
purposes) has been prohibited (CITES).
Fig. 14, 15 Flowering plants are easier observed

All adult material and of seeds observed in international commerce is surely from the wild and therefore illegally
collected; legally it is found only as specimens obtained from plants that have been reproduced from confiscated
specimens.
Because of illegal plunder the original location has been driven to the brink of extinction due to excessive collection
by botanists and looting by national and foreign collectors that even pay the locals to serve as guides to the
populations of plants.
In a vain attempt to protect the site a fence of barbed wire was placed to prevent access to livestock and avoid the
impact of animal grazing, but this only facilitated the location of the population by new plant avid collectors and
enabled more looting.
Furthermore in joint action between UNAM and UASLP (***) a research was conducted by a method which is quite
aggressive for plants, as these were painted with oil paints to make indelible marks, but this caused high mortality of
plants that have been prevented them from evapotranspiration and gas volatilization lethal to plants, such as
ethylene, which facilitated their decay.
(***) UNAM = Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico; UASPL = Universidad Autnoma de San Luis Potos.
Also placed pins with colored glass beads for plants to be located more easily by researchers, which also favored the
looters and caused even more valuable species loss.
Fig. 16, 17 Plants painted and marked with colored glass beads

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Greed for obtaining these specimens came to such a

degree that only ten years after its discovery, the villagers
were already well aware of the market value of these
plants, mainly due to foreigners who paid ridiculous
amounts of money to be guided in the field into the
plants habitat. Plants have been even be collected by the
villagers themselves to sell in town directly to people in
exchange for barely twenty pesos or less per each plant.
This not only highlights the lack of interest and education
by locals in conservation of their environment, the lack of
economic opportunities and social welfare necessary for
people, so that it doesnt become the only priority of
survival based on the irrational exploitation of their
environment.
In some visits in 2012 and 2013, twenty years after its
discovery it was noted the incidence in the looting of adult
and juvenile specimens, with several areas where plants
had been recently removed being detected.
During recent visits in three locations were found less than
200 plants per site, in contrast to the numbers mentioned
by E. F. Anderson, ranging in the thousands in each
location. Fig. 18 A big plant hiden in the stone aria
Threats
Regarding adverse factors, it was found that: the incidence of fires is negligible, there is presence of cattle grazing
but does not seem excessive, logging or harvesting of other species is minimal in scale and in the traditional customs
of the people do not have any application or commercial use outside the aforementioned.
Currently looting by foreigners has been reduced to virtually nil, mainly due to the Customs CITES signatory countries
agreement, although it has not been possible to stop the illegal collection and smuggling of seeds obtained directly
from habitat; in recent years a new phenomenon has been observed, the interest for the plants of the nationals
who are extracting plants without concern for the conservation of the ecosystem, even saying that they are saving
the plant arguing this is "rescue", believing that conservation can be achieved in pots or zoo cages.
Conclusions
The future for this species is quite uncertain while the same methodology for protection policy "only on paper"
maintains and not fosters ownership of the problem by local as well as the provision of jobs preferably concerning
conservation of their environment, such as community nurseries, forest guards and activities of soil and water
conservation to promote the preservation of the ecological conditions for the entire ecosystem where the species is
mentioned, and which could be maintained in a continuous stability.
Bibliography and reviewed literature:
Anderson, E.F. 1999. Ariocarpus: Some Rominiscences. Cact. Succ. J. (US) Vol. 7, No. 4: 180-190.
Anderson, E.F. and Fitz Maurice, W.A. 1997. Ariocarpus Revisited. Haseltonia 5: 1-20. (The latest major revision of the genus).
Bailey, G., Miller, J. and Smith M. 2004. Ariocarpus bravoanus On the edge. Living Rocks of Mexico, Sept. 29th 2004.
Bloom, E.V. 1960. La estructura interna de Ariocarpus fissuratus. Cactceas y Suculentas Mexicanas 5(3): 62-85. (A histological study).
Hernndez, H.M. and Anderson, E.F. 1992. A new Species of Ariocarpus (Cactaceae) Bradleya 10: 1-4. (The first description of Ariocarpus
bravoanus).
Hernndez, H.M., Gmez-Hinostrosa, C., and Hoffman, G. 2010. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 81: 163-175.
Lthy, J.M. 2000. Ariocarpus fissuratus, a variable species. Cactus & Co. 4 (4): 192-202.
Rzedowski, R.J. 1965. Vegetcion del San Lui Potos, Acta cientfica potosina, Vol. V, No. 1 & 2.
All pictures from habitat by Pedro Njera Quezada and Jovana Jaime Hernndez.
The pictures no. 3 7 by

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Aztekium valdezii dossier - Interview with Dr. Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas
as a team (and each and every one of its members individually) is committed to
study and protect cacti and succulent plants and nature in general. We always sensed that a genuine
plant lover should be responsible before nature. Sadly, not everyone acts in this manner and illegal
plant hunting and destruction of habitats are - especially in the case of rare and prized trophies -
among the main causes forcing these species to extinction. Sadly, history seems to repeat itself in the
case of Aztekium valdezii. Therefore, the editorial team of has decided to make this section
available to everyone who wants to voice concern, and wants to fight habitat destruction, looting,
illegal trade of this species, and wants to promote legal, non-invasive and non-destructive ways of
conservation and mindful propagation of this species in an attempt to match the existing demand on
the cacti collectors market. Until then please act responsibly and to reject any illegal offers.
Editorial Team
Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas

Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas is biologist, graduated from the Faculty of
Biological Sciences of the UANL in 1997, passionate about the botanical
biodiversity and focused on continuous learning and improvement; in 2002 he
described a new genus for the cactus family Digitostigma, and a new species
in this genus Digitostigma caput-medusae, while actively involved in issues
regarding the knowledge of the flora and vegetation of Nuevo Leon. He
currently works for Parks and Wildlife of Nuevo Leon in the Coordination of
Natural Protected Areas. In 2009 he concluded a PhD in Biological Sciences in
the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the same University, having the central
theme of his research on the floristic knowledge of Nuevo Leon. Currently, he
is a member of the National System of Researchers, and continues to work in
surveys of the native flora. These days he is back on the front page of the
botanical news with the description of Aztekium valdezii sp. nov., the most
expected description of this summer, after the rumor of this plant discovery has troubled the virtual community.
Interview with Dr. Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas

: Hi, Dr. Velazco, the entire Xerophilia team is very excited to be able to share your words with cactus
enthusiasts worldwide! How does the scientist feel, after having the opportunity to describe two of the most exciting
plants ever discovered, that are on any plant collector's wish list?
Dr. Velazco: Hi Dag, and thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to express my views in this Edition of
Xerophilia. How do I feel? Lucky! I've been a lucky person to be in the right place at the right time, I have been part
of important experiences in my career as a biologist; I always had an affinity for cacti and I had the opportunity to
propose new species is a unique experience for any botanist!
: What does a person in order to produce the description of a species? What stages implies the entire
research process?
ISSN 2285 3987
Aztekium valdezii dossier - Interview with Dr. Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas
Dr. Velazco: First, you have to have the knowledge, and to think that the plant you have in your hands is really
something new, then you have to believe that you submit a valuable thing to the world and that your work is
reviewed by the rest of the scientific community and lovers of cacti; there will be always people who do not agree
with what someone proposes as a new species. For some cactus genera like Mammillaria or Coryphantha, the
description of new species is a complicated process because of the complexity of the component species within each
genus; in the case of a genus such as Aztekium having only few species and some variation within same species, you
have to find characters that distinguish conclusively the proposed new species.
: Does the researcher, who contributes by describing a new species, face the bureaucratic problems
encountered by all citizens that come before the official clerk? Or has he any other problems of whatever nature
with the fellow scientists?
Dr. Velazco: There are always problems with bureaucracy, ever, no way to escape it, but I would not say that we
have problems with scientists, but rather are differences of opinion, as I mentioned before not everyone agrees with
you, for example lumpers vs. splitters ...
: Now after finalizing the research work, and after publishing the official description of the species, what
importance do you think it will have Aztekium valdezii sp. nov. within the genus? In what extent it completes and
explains it?
Dr. Velazco: Very good question! The importance of this new proposed Aztekium, is itself a demonstration that is still
so much to discover and analyze, we have always known that Mexico is the country with the highest importance to
the family Cactaceae, from the point of view of endemic species; the new species, gives us a vision of how the genus
has survived in the Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo Leon through thousands of years! It shows that this Sierra has
been a haven for various genera and species of the family - how many micro-endemic genera do we have in its
vicinity? Obregonia? Aztekium? Geohintonia? Digitostigma? Further south...Strombocactus! I do not think this
species completes the genus, but to explain it? It does not explain it! But we added one more piece to the puzzle!
Future molecular analysis could help explain this genus and its relations with the rest of the tribe!
: Which do you think will be the future of this species in habitat ...? Do you think there will be taken all the
necessary measures in a timely fashion for the protection of this rare plant against looting and destruction by rare
plant hunters and speculators?
Dr. Velazco: The future will be grim, dark and obscure!!!! Excuse me for being so pessimistic, but the collection of
plants from habitat will always been enticement for collectors, not only foreigners but also Mexicans! Some
populations will be eradicated to the last floor, others will remain hidden, some will be reborn from seed banks and
others will vanish after countless years of being refugees in the mountains, thats what I feel, but I do not think that
the future is bright and full of light.
: What is the message that the scientist and lover of nature to all xerophyte plant enthusiasts around the
world?
Dr. Velazco: Enjoy, but take no plants from habitat!!!! Mexico is a country rich in natural resources, we are aware
that this natural wealth has limits, is vulnerable and can be exhausted; surely there will be those who are already
thinking about expeditions to come and see this plant in habitat, and sure there will be those who will accomplish
this indeed; however, everyone is responsible for their own actions and each person offers a legacy to future
generations. Let the plants in their habitat!
: Free sharing of the knowledge is one of our goals. Xerophilia Magazine thanks you for your willingness to
share with all our readers, through our pages, not only knowledge but also science!

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Aztekium valdezii dossier - Interview with Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun
Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun

Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun, is a biologist who graduated from the Biological
Sciences Faculty, at Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon. After completing
his education, because of his excellent skills in plant propagation, he has been
focusing on this field, becoming the owner of a business specializing in
propagation of ornamental species and especially of trees and of other native
species. At the same time, Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun built up a career
consisting in phenological studies on Nuevo Leon cactus populations, in order
to study and understand and reveal unknown aspects of their vegetation
cycles.
An interview with an already famous discoverer:

Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun
The last two and half decades have been marked by a series of re-discoveries or new descriptions of some of the
most prestigious species: Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. hintonii, Ariocapus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus, Mammillaria
luethyi, Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae, Strombocactus corregidore and others even more amazing than
that. Thus, everybody remembers the early days of the autumn of 2002 when Velazco and Nevarez have announced
Digitostigma caput-medusae! At first people simply refused to believe the news, and many said it was a digression, a
joke or a hoax ... Digitostigma yet exist!
It is worth noting that among all these new gems Aztekium hintonii aroused, besides joy and bliss, a kind of respect
that only an Aztekium could have been caused, as it was considered for over six decades a monotypic genus. Why?
Because Aztekium is a legendary genus!
After the official description of the third species of this genus, published in "Xerophilia Special issue no 2 August 2013
- Aztekium valdezii", you can read below the story of the discoverer of the year, told for directly by
biologist Mario Alberto Valdz Marroqun:
: Hi Mario, it is known that every nature lover's dream is to discover a new species. What happens in the
soul of a biologist who has such an achievement? What experiences and feelings have you had?
Mario Valdz: For me it was very exciting because, as biologist, it is extremely rewarding to contribute a bit to the
knowledge of the great world of Cactaceae, especially when a very special species was discovered.
: Was the joy even greater when you realized this was a new Aztekium species?
Mario Valdz: At first I thought it was an Aztekium hintonii, mainly because the specimen was presenting the straight
stretch marks. It was also the only other species that was known in this Aztekium ritterii site. However, when I
checked A. hintonii and A. ritteri taxonomic information, I realized we were talking about something new, it
happened the next day I found it. And my excitement was huge.
Fig. 1, 2 The habitat and an Aztekium valdezii

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: How did you know it was an Aztekium...? Are you passionate about cacti? Do you have a collection of
such plants?
Mario Valdz: It was very easy because about 20 years ago two enthusiastic researchers of Cactaceae, Dr. Jorge
Verduzco and Dr. Alexander Lux had shown me the idenfification standards for A. ritteri in Aztekium populations and
I already had a certain experience with the genus; in addition to this I knew the habitat where Aztekium ritteri was
discovered, and this allowed me to recognize the habitat characteristics first then look for the new species. I had an
Aztekium ritteri in my collection, acquired grafted from a nursery, but thanks to Dr. Raul de la Torre Lillingston I have
now for the first time the entire Aztekium family gathered.
Fig. 3, 4 Flowering Aztekium valdezii on its own root and grafted

: How does Mario Valdez, the man, feel now thinking that he became famous and has made history...?
Mario Valdz: I feel a great responsibility to start with, because if something would happen to the population in the
wild I will definitely feel guilty about. I would rather not find out. So, at this stage we are doing everything possible
to start propagation within the units where I keep specimens of the species that just has been described. I am
harvesting seeds, which will be distributed for free among specialists of cactus reproductive biology, in order to take
pressure off the habitat, sustain the population in the wild and as a result there will be no need for looting.
Fig. 5 An old and branched plant

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: Tell us please how things have happened, keeping the location secret of course! Our readers are eager to
know more of this adventure!
Mario Valdz: On that particular day my family and I decided to take a trip to the Sierra Madre, in order to admire
the landscape and inspire respect for nature among our nephews. It was in the afternoon, about 2.30 pm when I
spotted some 200 meters from where we were a mountain wall with soil type and orographic conditions that
seemed to be very similar to the Aztekium ritterii habitat. This caught my attention and I was wondering if I would
find a new location for the species. So, I went there to do a more thorough search of the area. Keep in mind that
those Aztekium specimens do not exceed more than 5 cm in diameter and are therefore difficult to observe.
However, even before starting a thorough search I found the first specimens. This was before the area was hit by a
hurricane, which means today it would be more difficult to locate because the hurricane generated devastating
streams of up to 4 m high, on a 2 km wide strip across the population. I estimate that this phenomenon caused the
disappearance of more than 5.000 specimens in the area. If anyone wonders if climate change will affect Aztekium
valdezii the answer is yes.
Fig. 6 9 Aztekium valdezii in habitat

: What do you think, as an environmental survey specialist, what should be done to protect this new
species against unauthorized collectors? As you know last month plants already appeared on e-Bay and there are
nurserymen already offering seed for sale...
Mario Valdz: I ask your readers and generally all cactophiles to have a little patience. We want things to go through
the legal channels, and anyone who wants to have this species in his collection shall obtain it for free. If you decide
to spend money on buying illegally acquired specimens you will be partly responsible for the damage that would be
done to the species and its habitat. We believe that massive propagation is needed first in order to lower the
pressure on the habitat. We have enough seeds to distribute to major collectors and professional growers, all of
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them having the interest and the desire to preserve this new species. In the first phase we will provide seeds to
collectors, in the second phase we will provide plants. Later on, once collectors will have calmed their desire to have
the plant because they already own one, then and only then we will disclose the original location.
: How could be this species quickly propagated?
Mario Valdz: By tissue culture, seed and grafting, and by accelerating the micro-grafting process. We are working
jointly with the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon to produce Aztekium valdezii by micro-scale tissue culture.
Fig. 10, 11 Flowering plants

: What do you wish for the future...?
Mario Valdz: I wish this species to survive out in the wild and serve as an example of how things should be done to
conserve the world's natural resources, wherein now only few profit and, more, become a threat for the survival of a
species, this is something that I utterly disapprove. As the discoverer I aim to reproduce and distribute this species
non-profit; Im not saying that one cannot sell or gift specimens but I hope whoever has it may also give away a part
of the specimens grown from seed and thus ensure the survival of this species and, similarly, of many others.
Fig. 12 An adult and three young plants near Selaginella lepidophylla

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: What is your final message for the Xerophilia readers?

Mario Valdz: Please do not buy looted plants, not even a single one! So far there is no permission to market this
species and therefore it's a crime! Stand up and denounce to the international cactophile community all those who
generate so much damage to our planet! I am committed to distribute a controlled germplasm material for free
reproduction. One that presumes in his collection a single Aztekium valdezii should be ashamed of, because there is
no export permit yet and its origin is most certainly unlawful.
If you want to contribute positively towards the preservation of this and many other species, we do appreciate
donations in order to improve the infrastructure and build well equipped propagation greenhouses, it is sounder.
Anyway, with only few or with plenty of resources I intend to do it with or without help, so my goal is to protect to
Aztekium valdezii from extinction in the wild.
Thank you very much and let the love various forms of life unite us, and do wonderful things for this world!
: In the end the editors of thank you for this interview and wish you further success!
Fig. 13 18 Aztekium valdezii in habitat

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Judd Kirkel Welwitch A Tour with Judd Bits and Pieces
A Tour with Judd
by Judd Kirkel Welwitch
Through Judds passion of encountering indigenous flowers, he has persisted in finding ways to bring flowers of
various regions to people who havent yet had a chance of seeing them in Nature. He does this by combining
photography with Valuable Locality Data and experience of how and where to look for particular species.
Finding the way to the Welwitschia's (left) and The road to Steinkopf - Home of some of the most amazing Succulents (right)
His passion for photographing and finding plants in their habitat has put him ahead of his time. He showcases the
diversity of the flora and makes it available for each and everyone. Judd does many talks on the subject of Southern
African Flowers and at the same time he highlights the different regions of Southern Africa and introduces the
geography, because he believes that to conserve flowers one has to conserve their habitat.
The search is on for succulents - Heads down.

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Judd Kirkel Welwitch A Tour with Judd
The De Rust Valley with colony of Aloes on the right ( De Rust Wildflower Festival)
Join Judd on one of his spectacular and customised wildflower tours anywhere in Southern Africa. Let him show you
what extraordinary regions there are to discover and how to encounter the associated Flora. Custom tours by
arrangement can be put together either on a specific group of plants or on a specific region of interest.
We found what we were looking for

My tours come complete with photo diary (CD) of your visit and the plants you have seen. The CD covers the species
you see and contains all relevant and up to date, scientific names. Judd Has also developed chances to expose
yourself to Night photography of certain Flora this means you will be able to go into the wild at night. He locates
certain species for you during the day, then he GPSs the site and returns back at night with a customized lighting set
up, so that you can have the experience at night. Everything is done in habitat and under no circumstances does Judd
cut or remove any plant material from the original habitat.

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Travelogues
Albert Leroy - Tenerife is not only a holiday destination!
Tenerife is not onlysa holiday destination!

Let us have a look at the special succulent flora of this island.
by Albert Leroy Belgium/Tenerife
tenerifesucculents@hotmail.com
It is now about 25 years since Im spending 4 to 5 months a year on this island, and 18 years since I obtained an
official licence to study plants in situ. This gave me the advantage to run about everywhere on the island, from well
known touristic places to highly protected areas such as Parque rural de Anaga and Parque Nacional del Teide.
Here on Tenerife we have, as strange as it sounds, a lot of different climate zones. In the South you can find very arid
nearly desertic places, in the North a temperate zone, which is very green (gets a lot more rain), while in the
hinterland alpine and sub-alpine vegetation (with temperatures below 0C and snow ) thrives on the top of the high
mountains (over the 2500m above sea level). At the same time we can divide the island in different geographic
zones. The extreme North, the so called Anaga region, in the East the Guimar region, in the West the Teno region
and in the South the Guaza/Roque del Conde region.
Fig. 1 Mount Teide

These geographical differences provide for a huge variety of fauna and flora patterns. So you can see, Im here five
months a year and Im still visiting new places and see new things every time. In spring I stay here the months of
April, May until mid June. For autumn Im here from mid September until end October. Every time I can find new
things to photograph and add to my big, big, big photo collection. Yes, up to this moment I have more than 20.000
slides and about a 45.000 digital pictures!!!! With all this luggage Im travelling all over Europe to give some talks
for plant lovers societies.
Fig.2 El Batan

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Let us start in the South, where I have our apartments. This is an ideal stay for my visitors!!! Yes we are only 80
meters from the beach (for the ladies) in a quiet avenue and never the less in centre of Los Cristianos and near the
bus station for those who want to join for a daytrip to the capital Santa Cruz.
Fig. 3-5 Euphorbia canariensis, Monanthes pallens, Monanthes spec nova aff pallens
Usually for the first excursion I take my friends to the Malpais de Guaza and the Montana de Guaza. These are
very arid regions with several interesting plants to see. We have here Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia balsamifera,
Euphorbia broussonetii, Monanthes spec. nova aff. pallens, Aeonium urbicum, Ceropegia fusca with all its forms and
varieties. This is concerning the succulents. As you can understand a there are lot of other non succulent plant
species that can be found, but, for those who are interested, they have to discover this here in the field. The species
list would be much to long!!!!! In regards to the fauna we dont have a large choice, we have to be happy with the
wild rabbit (who is very small, weighting only about 0.800 kgs.) and the classic lizard Gallotia gallotii. There are no
dangerous wild animals out there, such as lions, snakes or scorpions. For the amateurs of insects or other flying
beings this is an ideal place since a lot of them can be found and observed!!!!
Fig. 6, 7 Aeonium urbicum and Aeonium smithii

A second place to visit here in the South is El Roque del Conde. For this excursion you need a better fitness level
and especially good legs!!!! Here we have to climb, but it is really a fantastic place to visit. And a lot of plants to
observe. At the start we can admire Euphorbia balsamifera on a very easy to walk terrain in a beautiful landscape but
soon things change. We have to descend into the Barranco del Rey (the Kings valley) and walking downhill its easy
but soon we have to climb again to reach the other side (from time to time we can meet here the introduced wild
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mouflon sheep - Ovis musimon, considered the ancestor of domestic sheep). Once down we can find Monanthes
pallens, a very small plant (only 15mm wide) but very nice indeed. This species grows always in a nearly vertical
position on the rocks. Its colour is very confusing, mimicking the colour of the lava rocks. Continuing alongside an
abandoned farmhouse (abandoned for more than 80 years) we can find the floor on which they battered the harvest
to obtain the grains. Once the harvest done they used the same place to keep the cattle (goats). Near the farmhouse
you can find some fig trees (Ficus carica) bearing ripe figs in September/October they are simply delicious!!
Fig. 8 10 Aeonium urbicum, Ceropegia dichotoma, Euphorbia broussonetii covered with lichens
Continuing on the path, now the real climb begins, slowly but for a long, long time. Very soon we can find the first
Ceropegia fusca var. fusca plants. Theres also a lot of Opuntia ficus-indica and also a real pest (!!) Opuntia dillenii
with its strong and vicious spines but delicious fruit, red on the inside and very refreshing. Here at this altitude you
will also find the so unique Aeonium smithii with its butter yellow flowers and his hairy stems. Please dont touch
these plants (!!!!) here on this place you are constantly observed and controlled by the members of Guardia del
Monte and the rangers of the Medio Ambiente. They dont take it as a joke when people take plants from nature.
You are here in a protected region so be careful. From time to time you will also find Monanthes pallens fa. silensis
and the more common Monanthes polyphylla. When you finally arrive on top of the mountain, which is in fact a table
mountain, you will find Euphorbia atropurpurea and with a little bit of luck Monanthes icterica. This last Monanthes
species is a special case. Its a biannual very small plant and is green only during 2 or 3 weeks in a year. No one really
knows if this plant should stay in the genus Monanthes. Once arrived here take your time to have a look around over
the South of the island. You have a view from Playa Paraiso until the southern airport. From here you have also a nice
view over the Barranco del Infierno (meaning the Hells valley, due to temperatures rising in summer at over
50C), which is an interesting place to visit but only with an official guide and following your registration and
entrance fee payment.
Fig. 11, 12 Aeonium ciliatum and Aeonium smithii flowers

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As far as I am concerned I prefer to walk to the top over this last Barranco, but this is just to make one of the hardest
and most exhausting trips. We start just next to the Barranco here in Adeje to climb up to approximately 1200
meters above sea level and making a walk to join Ifonche. A trip of nearly 8.5 km, very challenging indeed but the
reward is that you get to one of the very rare places where you can find Ceropegia chrysantha. Once again DONT
TOUCH THESE PLANTS!!. There are only 3 locations on the island where these plants grow in a very poor number, so
be correct and dont pick branches or offsets. Once again you are here in a protected area and if they catch you with
plants in your bags, you are sure you will have an expensive extension of your holidays, this time assisted by lawyers.
Your prison stay will cost you at least a 1.000 Euro plus legal expenses!!! Once arrived in Ifonche you will have to call
a taxi to return to the civilised world. However, before your return you should better taste, in one of the small
restaurants, the speciality of this place RABBIT and this for a very cheap price!
Fig. 13, 14 Ceropegia fusca var. fusca

Another easy access place to visit is certainly El Medano with the so famous Montana Roja. This is just behind
the Southern airport Reina Sofia. This place is well known for the surfing possibilities. But we dont come here to
swim or to look at the surfers but for the special Euphorbia species growing here. On the sandy beach with a
constant influence of salty seawater grows Euphorbia paralias. Climbing the small mountain we still find vestiges of
the second war 40-45. Embedded bunkers are overlooking the Cristianos bay for protection. A lot of Euphorbia
balsamifera is growing here but under those windy conditions they have a very special way to protect them against
the stormy conditions. Also some Ceropegia fusca var fusca can be found in association with this Euphorbia. Once on
top of the mountain you are looking over the nudist beach of the South, beware of your eyes!!!
In the North, theres a lot of opportunities!!! The walk to Faro de Anaga also Barranco de Afur- and not to forget
the walk from Batan el Alto to Punta Hidalgo. Just past San Andres you can visit the Barranco which climbs from
Igueste de San Andres up into the mountains and so many others.
Fig. 15, 16 Roque del Conde view of cave Ichasagua and Euphorbia balsamifera

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Fig. 17 19 Monanthes pallens, Monanthes pallens var silensis, Monanthes polyphylla

Between the Southern part of the Island and the North we have the Guimar region with also several interesting
barrancos such as Barranco de Badajos, Barranco Del Agua, Barrance de Herques, Barranco de Linde, etc. No one
may forget the Ladera de Guimar where we can find the so rare Euphorbia bourgaeana. On the other side of the
island we have the Teno region with the famous Barranco de Masca and different others such as Barranco Juan
Lopez here once again very special flora with a lots of local endemics.
All this will be presented to you in subsequent articles.
I hope you will grow interest in my virtul excursions on paper and perhaps you will decide to join me sometime in
nature. If so you can always contact me by private email to ask for conditions and if places are still available.
Tenerife nu este numai o destinaie de vacan!

O privire asupra plantelor suculente de pe aceast insul.
de Albert Leroy Belgia/Tenerife
Abstract
Albert Leroy i petrece de aproximativ 25 de ani, cate 4-5 luni pe an pe aceast insul; de 18 ani este posesorul unui
permis oficial pentru studiul plantele in situ. n articolul su, autorul prezint n trecere, flora insulei de la locurile
turistice bine cunoscute i pn la zone protejate, cum ar fi Parque rural de Anaga i Parque Nacional del Teide,
subliniind faptul c n Tenerife exist mai multe zone climatice. n sud se pot ntlni zone foarte aride, aproape
deertice, iar n nord, unde climatul este temperat, totul este foarte verde; n acelai timp n interior vegetaia alpin
i sub-alpin prosper n vrful munilor nali (peste 2500 m nlime cu temperaturi ce pot scdea sub 0C; uneori i
ninge). n acelai timp, insula se poate mpri n patru zone geografice: nordul extrem este aa numita regiune
Anaga, n est regiunea Guimar, la vest regiunea Teno, iar la sud regiunea Guaza/Roque del Conde. Aceste diferenieri
geografice i climatice au permis o imens diversificare a florei i faunei.
Autorul continu artnd care sunt posibilele trasee de excursie pe unde se pot vedea Euphorbia canariensis, E.
balsamifera, E. broussonetii, Monanthes spec. nova aff. pallens, Aeonium urbicum i Ceropegia fusca cu toate
formele i varietile ei. Un al doilea loc care merit s fie vizitat n sud este El Roque del Conde i Barranco del
Rey unde creste Monanthes pallens, o plant minuscul numai 15 mm diametru, aceast specie crecnd aproape
vertical poziionat pe stnci. Culoarea ei este foarte derutant, ntruct mimeaza culoarea rocilor vulcanice. Aici se
mai gsete i o plant unic - Aeonium smithii, alturi de Monanthes pallens fa. silensis, M. polyphylla, Euphorbia
atropurpurea i M. icterica. Aceast ultim specie de Monanthes este un caz special. Este o plant bianual foarte
mic ce este nverzit numai 2 sau 3 sptmani ntr-un an. Prin Barranco del Infierno, cu temperaturi de peste 50C
vara, se urc pn la aproximatix 1200 m spre Ifonche. Aici crete rara Ceropegia chrysantha. Un alt loc uor accesibil
este El Medano cu faimosul su Montana Roja. Locul este cunocut pentru halofita Euphorbia paralias. ntre
zonele nordice ale insulei se ajunge n regiunea Guimar care cuprinde mai multe vi interesante cum ar fi Barranco
de Badajos, Barranco Del Agua, Barrance de Herques, Barranco de Linde, etc. Este de reinut locaia Ladera de
Guimar unde poate fi ntlnit foarte rara Euphorbia bourgaeana. La final autorul i exprim sperana c articolul va
trezi interesul cititorilor pentru o excursie n zon.
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Contributions
Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa - Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis
Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa

My name is Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa of San Pedro de La Paz, Chile. I am qualified
Forestry Engineer(Ingeniero Forestal) and over time, starting with 2007 I began to
be interested in growing cacti; however, only with 2008, my interest turned to
cultivation of Chilean cacti after I visited that same year for the first time Region III
- Atacama.
I declare myself a fan of the Chilean Cactaceae, and therefore, my main goal is to
educate new Chilean cactus enthusiasts to understand and to learn about the
importance of habitat conservation and controlled propagation of rare and
endangered cactus species.
Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis

in habitat and cultivation
by Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa, San Pedro de la Paz, Chile
When I received the invitation from the editors of the magazine I did not know how to start this report or rather how
raise awareness of this beautiful species from the point of view of my personal experience. In short, my experience in
the observation and identification of cacti in habitat until 2011 was very negligible at best, if not almost non-existent.
In that year I moved for work north of Chile with my family (My Wife), a move which resulted in many advantages for
me in obtaining new knowledge in regard sof Chilean cacti.
Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis belongs to the sub-genus Thelocephala, the name meaning felt at the apex
(Hoffmann & Walter, 2004) and was described and published in 2004 by Richard Keim and Ingrid Schaub, a Chilean
couple who has devoted much of their life researching and describing new Chilean cactus species.
Fig. 1 Calandriana ssp.

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Fig. 2 "El Desierto Florido" the flowering desert

The species is globular to sub-globular or completely flat
at ground level, dark green, 1 to 2.5 cm in diameter. The
sunken apex is covered with dense white wool. Ribs are
dissolved in nipples, all staying close together. Radial
spines stay flat on the body, from 0.6 to 1.2 mm long.
Flowers are 2 to 3.5 cm long, yellow, with floral tube
completely covered by white or light brown hairs. The
ripe fruit is 2 by 1 cm and is covered in hairs exactly like
the floral tube (Walter & Hoffmann, 2004). Also, like, all
Eriosyce napina subspecies,it has a large carrot shaped
taproot.
Since August of 2011, for business reasons, I moved to

live in the Atacama Region of Chile, specifically Puerto
de Huasco (Port of Guasco) and, as all Chilean cacti
enthusiasts already know, this region is a paradise for
observing cacti in their natural habitat, so my job
transfer to this region of Chile, was rather a blessing.
However, lets start the topic we are interested in. When
I finished my shift, which lasted for 9 continuous days, I
had 6 days off. I took the advantage of having this time
off by getting to know and explore new habitats and
new species. In one of those days, specifically in early
October, I walked out there with my wife looking for
Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis, having only vague Fig. 3 Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis.
references on the habitat and where it could dwell. We Flower buds make the plant visible
started our trip by car from Huasco advancing several an astonishing 30 C on average, so it was necessary to
kilometers north to a point where our car could not stay well hydrated. We had walked a few hundred yards
continue because of the rugged terrain. Because of this enjoying the scenery and the flowers that remained like
we had to continue the journey on foot, and yes, each remnants of the winter rains (Fig. 1), when all of a
carrying at least 2.5 liters of water. I should mention that sudden we heard a sound, unknown to us until that
the temperatures reached in the month of October 2011 moment. It was rather like a whistle sound.

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Fig. 4, 5 Echinopsis deserticola accompanied by Calandria

ssp. (pink flowers) and Nolana spp. (blue flowers)
Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis has no more than 2 cm in
diameter (right)
We stopped our walk and began to look around without
knowing where the sound came from. Finding no source
of the curious "whistle", we continue our way towards
the main goal. However, as we went on we felt like
something or someone was watching our steps. After a
few minutes again that "birdie" whistle sound was heard, but this time much closer, so we stopped, looked up a hill
and there they were staring at us. Responsible for the "birdie" whistle sound was no more and no less than a small
family of guanacos (Lama guanicoe), a mammal belonging to the camel family, which roam the desert feeding on
grasses, bulbs and roots, and also feed on cacti such as Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis.
Then, we stopped and took some pictures happy to find these beautiful places, like this spot offering us the last
blooms of "the flowering desert" ... (Fig. 2).
I will try to explain in few words what "El Desierto
Florido" (the flowering desert) means. This is a
phenomenon that occurs every 8 or 10 years in the
Atacama region, according to the botanical literature,
due to the increased amount of rainfall. Generally
rainfall occurs only sporadic between May and August,
and maybe October. Where the bulbs, seeds, and cacti
meristems are activated by rain, colouring the desert in
green tones.
Lucky for us, the year 2011 witnessed this wonder of
nature and allowed us to admire beautiful landscapes as
shown in Fig. 4. Good, but lets not stray from the main
topic. We kept walking and looking for the plants but
without having positive results until my wife saw
something that could have been an E. napinassp.
challensis between several quartz rocks; and it was
indeed, although very difficult to spot when not in
bloom. Below I will show a series of photographs of the
plants we found during this first trip.
Fig. 6 A flower just beginning to open

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As you can see, if not for the flower buds, the plant
could have been easily overlooked as it has a perfect
camouflage by mimicking the substrate (Fig. 5). We
observed many cacti bearing buds, but unfortunately we
did not have a ruler to measure the diameter of the
plants; however, generally our estimation was that they
did not exceed 2.0 cm in diameter. We also discovered
that many cacti have already had their flowers, so we
were initially a bit disappointed of not being able to find
flowering plants.
We continued our search until we sighted the first
yellow flowers between quartz rocks, some beginning to
open as shown in the photograph (Fig. 8). You can also
see plenty of white hairs on the floral tube, this being
one indicator that characterizes this species.Then, we
first saw the first Eriosyce napina ssp. challensisplants in
full bloom (Fig. 9). This was exactly what we expected
to see since we decided to take this trip and finally weve
had our satisfaction. Really, from our point of view this
species is a sophisticated beauty of all cacti. The next
picture of a flowering cactus (Fig. 10) shows, besides the
characteristic beauty of this species, a group of mites are
one of the many insects responsible for pollination in the
desert. Seeing this photograph more closely, it becomes
Fig. 7 Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis in full bloom
hard to imagine that much of the plant is hidden
underground, that it possesses a large carrot-shaped root that is responsible for sustaining the plant during
prolongued periods of water stress.
Fig. 8 Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis in full bloom, with pollinating mites

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Fig. 9, 10 Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis with withered flowers.

Two months later, with fruits consumed perhaps by insect larvae...
While exploring the habitat, we assert that the blooms Challe Park to see if the observed flowering plants have
were performing better than we thought, and, like formed fruits. We will not deny that apparently back in
shown in the previous image, we noticed the presence October we expected to see many plants with fruits,
of mites and beetles on other plants as well, so that we however this was generally not true two months later.
predict there will be numerous fruits here in due time. Everywhere only cacti with dried flowers and consumed
By having the privilege to see these wonderful flowers fruits, perhaps by insect larvae as seen in the sample
we got what we have bargained for. However, our plan photography (Fig. 12).
was not oly to visit this habitat and considering that it Repeated encounters, like shown in the previous picture,
was getting quite late, we started running back to our left us little hope of finding more any cactus fruits. We
car and visit other species as beautiful as this. simply felt that the time passed without anything near to
Specifically Eriosyce napina ssp. aerocarpa; good, but if good results, and after a while I had quite a discomfort
the editors of the magazine wish there will be an in my neck from looking down trying to find a plant with
interesting story to tell in the future. undamaged fruits (Fig. 13) and felt that we were looking
But this story does not end here, it continues two for a needle in a haystack; if you dont believe me look at
months later. In December we returned to the Llanos del the next picture (Fig. 14).
Fig. 11 ...and after a while I had quite a discomfort in my neck from looking down trying to find a plant with undamaged fruits...

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That is why we said Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis plants

are hard to see if they are not flowering, because they
grow on a quartz rich a layer. However, we were faithful
that sooner or later we should have good results and
there was the first plant bearing a small, lonely and
single fruit (Fig. 14). The description given in the books
came immediately alive, yes, there were white hairs
abundantly covering the fruit.
After traveling in the habitat and collecting some fruits,
we finished our visit here. We were happy for having
known this wonderful species and tracked it in the field
from flowering to fruiting stage. It was also good to learn
the environment, and this develops better
understanding of the plants potential and adaptability
to the environment, displaying the elements it is
exposed to. More, it is as interesting to know the other Fig. 12 ... and finally!
cactus species it is associated with. As I couldnt extract such a plant from habitat to
When we returned to Conception, which is our illustrate the huge taproot, I had to extract one from my
hometown, we sorted our data and information small batch of young plants. While the plant is still small
collected in the field. We also started to select some it already formed a sizeable taproot (Fig. 16).
seeds and species in order to start propagation, so that After the unfortunate seedlings adventure conducted in
December of 2011 found us sowing a lot of Eriosyce December 2011, I sow a small amount of seeds in July
napina ssp. challensis seeds. 2012, which is midwinter for the southern hemisphere. I
I took the picture of these seedlings in January 2013 (Fig. took the risk of sowing on this date as I did not want to
15). I should mention that this first sowing session was wait until spring, due September, because I was
not particularly successful because the original seed batch intending to start grafting experiments, being at that
was attacked by fungi and I could only rescue some of the time totally inexperienced in this matter. Sowing in July
plants, but these are developing successfully now. was a success regarding the germination rate, however,
One of the characteristics of the species that I this time the problem was not the fungal attack, but a
particularly wanted to highlight is the main root, different one: with the passing months the plants did
completely thickened as it should be for this species. not grow.
Fig. 13 Two years old seedlings

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I waited until December in order to grow large enough species, in this case making seeds order available quite
to withstand a grafting procedure, but these seedlings early on, to make available plants and seeds to other
did not grow. However, this time having gained now the collectors. In this way we also help by reducing plunder
basic knowledge of grafts due to the excellent video and habitat pressures for these cacti.
tutorials that exist on the internet, I performed my first In Chile, for the past 10 years, a new generation of
Pereskiopsis graft in January 2013. collectors has appeared, a generation mainly concerned
The grafting experiment was a success (Fig. 17). Six in studying Chilean cacti and learn how to propagate
months later, the main head is about 2 cm in diameter them successfully, having the primary aspiration of
and the main feature of this species, and of all especially protecting the cactus species in their habitat. I belong to
of this E.napina subspecies is that they tend to pull new this new generation of Chilean collectors who have great
heads, one thing to wonder of being that the above does interest how to propagate plants only, meet new like-
not happen in habitat unless the apex was damaged. minded people and teach them about this wonderful
This cultivation method is ideal to ensure within a world of the cacti.
collection the existence of the most prized and rare
Fig. 14, 15 Eriosyce napina ssp. challensi s- a sizeable taproot for such a small young plant and one grafted on Pereskiopsis
Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis n habitat i n cultur

de Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa, San Pedro de la Paz, Chile
Abstract
Autorul articolului, Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa, este un tnr inginer silvic din Chile care i-a descoperit pasiunea
colecionrii i cultivrii cactuilor nc din 2008. n 2011 el a nceput s lucreze n Regiunea a III-a Atacama ceea ce a
dus la descoperirea un nou orizont asupra unor specii de o mare raritate, trind intr-un habitat extrem. Carlos se
declar fascinat de plantele din habitat i de relaiile acestora cu mediul. n articolul de mai sus autorul i prezint
cltoria prin Deertul nflorit n cutarea uneia din bijuteriile oricrei colecii: Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis
subspecie descris recent, n 2004 de ctre compoatrioii si Richard Keim i Ingrid Schaub. Cu un condei alert, ne
sunt prezentate habitatul, particularitile acestuia, din care subliniem solul cuaros i perioadele de nflorire i de
fructificare ale speciei citate, n mediul ei natural. Aa cum se poate vedea n fotografii, aceste locuri slbatice sunt
locuite de flori frumoase, de animale stranii i de insecte minuscule, dar distrugtoare autorul fiind uimit de
multitudinea de fructe de Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis distruse de acestea.
Autorul i conchide articolul cu experienele sale n semnarea speciei Eriosyce napina ssp. challensis, marcnd
eecurile i cauzele acestora, dar i reuitele. La final Carlos propune altoirea ca metod de propagare mai rapid a
acestei specii, n scopul scderii presiunii exercitate de colectorii ilegali asupra exemplarelor din habitat.
Carlos Alonso Hidalgo Villa intenioneaz s revin cu un alt articol n care va prezenta Eriosyce napina ssp.
areocarpa.

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Interview with Ray Stephenson
Our Special Guests
Ray Stephenson
I started growing all manner of succulents at the age of 4 on a
windowsill. At the age of 8 I borrowed Britton & Rose from the
library but was not strong enough to carry all the volumes at once
and wheeled each home on my bike saddle.
As long as I remember I have had Sedum but throughout my life as

new material became available I concentrated on South American
cacti, odd African caudiciforms, hardy succulents etc. My wife
Joyce shares my enthusiasm. I built up a large collection of sedums
in the widest sense and now find greatest pleasure in
photographing species in the wild, trading clones with other
enthusiasts, and editing and producing the Sedum Society
Newsletter (busy with issue 108 at present), so all in all retirement
which includes about 25 lectures a year keeps me busy.
In addition to this, Ray Stephenson (with an Aeonium subplanum in

the picture above) is the holder of the National Sedum, Rhodiola,
Hylotelephium, Phedimus, & Prometheum collections (which were awarded scientific status in 1999 and the Brickell
award in 2007). He also is Chairman of the Sedum Society and the Editor of the Sedum Society Newsletter as
mentioned above, and has had over 200 papers published in various journals. ( , ref. BCSS website).
Do not become a plant snob!

: Ray Stephenson, you are widely known among the succulentophiles as the ultimate Sedum authority. I
cant help asking you why Sedum? Why not main stream cacti, ant-plants or tropical orchids?
Ray Stephenson: From the age of 4 I was fascinated with cacti & cacti-like plants. My 2nd 'cactus' was a Mexican
Sedum. In the 1960s I was particularly interested in South American cacti. When I had two greenhouses full of all
succulent families I systematically got rid of lawns to grow hardy succulents on screes. Ron Evans' book was like a
bolt of lightning and fired my already strong interest when I realised most of my plants were wrongly labelled.
: You have a long time commitment to the hobby you established the Sedum Society, you keep the
British National Sedum, Rhodiola, Hylotelephium, Phedimus and Prometheum collections, you published hundreds of
notes, articles and papers on these plants what was the drive for such extraordinary accomplishments?
Ray Stephenson: Difficult to say. I didn't start the society single-handed but I find the relationships between species
and variability of species utterly fascinating. I have 140+ different Sedum album plants!!!!
: Your Sedum monograph (Sedum: Cultivated Stonecrops, Timber Press, 1994) is certainly the ultimate
reference for the genus. What sparked the idea of writing this book?
Ray Stephenson: I was asked to do it.
: You have travelled a lot; you have seen many places, many plants and habitats. Of all places which one
has overwhelmed you the most?
Ray Stephenson: In the early days - Portugal (we're due back in September) but now probably Turkey (we're going
back in April) though Northern California/Oregon was special.

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Temporary outdoor Sedum gardens

: and of all plants which was the ONE that left you breathless when you first saw it?
Ray Stephenson: Sedum tuberiferum mainly because it had been so elusive for so long!
: Which was the most important or emotional event you witnessed during your long career?
Ray Stephenson: Joyce (my wife) becoming as excited as me upon finding something special in the wild.
: Who was for you the most influential C&S personality and why?
Ray Stephenson: Ron Evans, he showed just how varied and interesting are Sedum. Lloyd Praeger too was a man
who loved and understood all he grew.
Greenhouse and gardens overview

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Permanent outdoor Sedum gardens

: I have seen you in pictures holding musical instruments guitar or bagpipe. What role does music play in
your life?
Ray Stephenson: Really important to me I play ragtime and blues
guitar quite proficiently (and also blues harmonica, dobro, cigar-box
guitar, and banjo) and English bagpipes (badly).
: By any chance have you ever been interested in exotic fish?

I somehow feel that this hobby is often associated with growing
xerophytes. And with growing a beard. At least for Romanian hobbyists
it seems to be true.
Ray Stephenson: I have friends who have this hobby and have been
nearly won over, but music (vintage gramophones / records /
phonographs/ juke-xoxes) + playing absorbs most of my time.
: We often acknowledge just one side of personalities, the
most visible one. Any other hobbies that you have or had or anything
else that defines you but wasnt really known beyond the circle of your
close friends and family?
Ray Stephenson: No other hobby besides the ones mentioned above.
: Any publishing plans for the near future? Ray Stephenson in his greenhouse
Ray Stephenson: Papers rather than books depending on how successful or not are our field expeditions.
: and in the end what would you like to say to the Xerophilia readers? Maybe a quintessential advice for
the young Romanian hobbyist?
Ray Stephenson: Do not become a plant snob the most common, humble, or easy plants can give immense pleasure.
: Thank you Ray, we would like to wish you all the best in the future!

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Contributions
Jn Baran - Tristerix aphyllus an exotic cactus parasite
Tristerix aphyllus an exotic cactus parasite

by Jn Baran, Zvolen, Slovakia
Tristerix aphyllus is known as the Chilean mistletoe, and indeed it is very wide-spread in this country. In our
neighbourhood it is often encountered in association with its relative, the white mistletoe. The white mistletoe
(Viscum album), also known as the European mistletoe, is a tree dwelling parasitic plant of the Santalaceae family
(and was formerly in the Viscaceae and Loranthaceae families). It usually doesnt harm the trees. However, both
plants are aerial parasites. Tristerix aphyllus is very interesting to look at. It grows mainly in Chile (see distribution
map) and is parasitic mainly on cacti, especially on Echinopsis chilensis, Eulychnia acida, Copiapoa coguibana,
Opuntia miguelii but is encountered on other species as well.
Fig. 1 Distribution map. Fig. 2 Tristerix aphyllus. Photo Josef Odehnal

On such hosts Tristerix aphyllus can produce in time severe damages. It looks like a very nice decoration at first
glance, as it has beautiful bright red flowers. Tristerix aphyllus has been reported to be a nonphotosynthetic
holoparasite (*), however, the presence of green tissues in seedlings strongly suggests that chlorophyll is present.
Fig. 3, 4 Tristerix aphyllus Drawings Jan Baran

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The parasitic life cycle and propagation are as follows. The red flowers are full of nectar and therefore attract mainly
insects and hummingbirds to cater for pollination. The plant produces sticky, spherical fruits containing seeds. The
sticky extension will take care of seeds that birds eat them and scatter into the surroundings. The birds simply love it.
The infestation is carried out mainly by birds like the endemic Chilean Mockingbird Mimus tenca. Seeds discarded in
appropriate conditions begin to sprout and quickly form variable roots armed with sticky suction cups fixing
themselves to the epidermis of the host plant. The variable root is able to take hold and grow through the epidermis,
or through the areole of the host cactus. They are able to penetrate the vascular system of the host where the
parasite draws both organic and inorganic nutrients.
During the juvenile stage of development Tristerix aphyllus generates a crisscross of wires on the cactus body. In
favourable conditions the parasite continues to grow until it covers the entire body of the host. With the flowering
the cycle is closed.
Fig. 5 The crisscross of wires

As I mentioned above, the parasite draws nutrients directly from the host. Although it almost lacks chlorophyll
there is a photosyntetic process taking place. Under normal circumstances it takes place in chloroplasts, which are
enclosed by membranes tightly folded into cylindrical organs called thylakoids, in the presence of chlorophyll
which is an assimilation pigment. In addition to chlorophyll, which is apparently very reduced in Tristerix aphyllus,
photosynthesis involves also other pigments, such as carotenoids. They cause the characteristic red colouring we
can see in Tristerix aphyllus. Photosynthesis occurs only in the presence of light, which has to be absorbed in order
to keep the process going. Chlorophyll is the main assimilation pigment and the parasite has strongly reduced
chlorophyll, which has almost alone the ability to absorb incoming photons... However, the lack of chlorophyll is
partly compensated by other pigments which generate different colours. All other colours rather than green are
due to the auxiliary assimilation pigments. They form a sort of "network" in which is capturing incoming photons.
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Fig. 6, 7 Tristerix aphyllus in blossom. Photo Josef Odehnal The crisscross of wires on the cactus body.
There are several factors affecting the

photosynthetic levels:
Wavelength and light intensity. The most
useful for photosynthesis are the red and
blue-violet light wavelenghts. The plant is
capable of absorbing only 2% of the light it
is receiving. The rest is reflected. By
increasing light intensity the
photosynthetic process is accelerated,
however, increases of light intensity above
a certain limit do not contribute to further
increases of photosynthetic activity.
Carbon dioxide. The CO2 concentration of
the atmosphere is 0.03%. Large increase or
decrease in the concentration slows or
even stops photosynthesis, minor changes
do not affect it.
Temperature. Temperature greatly affects
photosynthesis. In different plant species
the optimum temperature varies between
25 - 30 C, however, in most plant
photosynthesis takes place between 0 - 40
C. This means photosynthesis occurs
above or below the optimal levels, but not
with the same efficiency.
Water. Water is absolutely necessary for
photolysis; more, photosynthesis highly
contributes to the overall waterloss in
plants. If waterstressed plants close their
stomata in order to preserve water. This
shuts down the vents through which CO2
penetrates into the plant and therefore Fig. 8 Tristerix aphyllus on Echinopsis chilensis. Photo Josef Odehnal
photosynthesis slows down.

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On the surface of the host Tristerix aphyllus produces clumps of inflorescences and the development cycle is
repeated. In most hosts the parasitic activity is prevented or slowed down by production of natural defence systems,
such as phenols. However, regardless the defensive reactions of its host Tristerix aphyllus can adapt and vegetate.
Because of this ability Tristerix aphyllus increases its chances of successfully parasitizing and reproducing, but still it is
dependent on the host plant condition. Normally Tristerix aphyllus occurs in host plants on top of vegetative
development. Localized expansions or severe infestations of Tristerix aphyllus are causally linked to the size of the
population of the conveying vector - birds and so on.
After conquering the cactus-hos, after several years of expansion of the parasite, to the extent that the host plant is
not enough to produce the required amount of nutrients, the cactus dies. The speed of this process depends on the
conditions on the site and the extent of the damage. The pictures show all developmental stages of Tristerix aphyllus.
Fig. 9 The development stages of Tristerix aphyllus
Despite its exotic appearance and beautiful flowers Tristerix aphyllus is a serious problem for the cactus populations
and, as supported by the attached map, it is in full expansion in the South American continent.
(*) Holoparasite is a nonphotosynthetic plant parasite that obtains all its nutritional requirements from the host.
Tristerix aphyllus un parazit exotic al cactuilor

de Jn Baran, Zvolen, Slovacia
Abstract
Articolul prezint un parazit al cactuilor, Tristerix aphyllus, o plant rspndit n America de Sud i n mod special
Chile. Tristerix aphyllus este nrudit cu vscul (Viscum album) i aparine familiei Santalaceae. Paraziteaz n mod
special Echinopsis chilensis, Eulychnia acida, Copiapoa coguibana, Opuntia miguelii, dar poate fi ntlnit i la alte
specii de cactui. Propagarea: florile roii conin un nectar care atreag insecte i colibri, acetia fiind responsabili cu
polenizarea. Ulterior rspndirea seminelor se face cu ajutorul psrilor (n mod special mierla endemic Mimus
tenca) care consum fructele lipicioase. Dac sunt abandonate n locuri propice (n general pe corpul unor cactui),
seminele germineaz i formeaz rdcini care penetreaz epiderma. Parazitul i procur toate substanele
nutritive direct din corpul gazdei. Tristerix aphyllus are o activitate fotosintetic redus, clorofila lipsind aproape
complet. Totui, n fotosintez sunt implicai i ali pigmeni, cum ar fi carotenoizii, iar acetia mprumut culoarea
roie atrgtoare. Tristerix aphyllus este un parazit periculos pentru c poate acoperi n timp ntreaga plant cu o
reea de tulpini, iar dac cactusul nceteaz s mai fac fa cantitilor crescnde de substane nutritive necesare
parazitului, atunci intr n colaps. Este de asemenea adaptabil la substanele naturale de aprare ale cactuilor
(fenoli). n ciuda aspectului sau exotic Tristerix aphyllus reprezint o problem serioas pentru populaiile de cactui
din natur (vezi harta) i este n plin expansiune pe continentul Sud American.

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Athena Mantl - A Prickly Infatuation Xero - Arts
Athena Mantle
www.athenamantle.com
www.facebook.com/athenamantle
Born in Santa Monica California, Athena Mantle lived in Southern California until the
age of 8 when her mother decided it was time for a change. She spent the next ten
years on the Gulf Coast of Florida growing up. Always an independent spirit, Athena
left home at 18 to go back to her native land and has never looked back.
Athenas artistic journey began as a child who loved to draw. She studied perspective
and figure drawing from books and often spent her free time sketching animals and
faces from magazines with pencil and paper. Encouraged by a friend, she continued
her art education at Mission Renaisssance in Los Angeles.
In 1994 she became an art instructor, and began teaching children to draw and paint.
Today painting full-time, she lives in the San Gabriel Mountains with her husband and
two dogs. While she does bear the famous Mantle name, she did not inherit the
baseball gene but does enjoy biking on the weekends. In her hillside home, which she
likes to call her tree house, she maintains an array of succulent and cactus specimens which can be found in her work.
A Prickly Infatuation
by Athena Mantle, Sunland, California
Agave and Succulents have always fascinated me. They are such a resilient plant species and yet hold so much
beauty. Although Ive grown many different varieties in my own garden in Southern California, Im not very familiar
with the correct plant species names. Im
an artist, not a horticultural specialist. I do
however know something beautiful when I
see it. I like to do close-ups focusing in on
the details and color of the plants or place
them in an urban setting. I think the details
get lost on some people but in my book
they are what make these plants so unique.
Ive been painting mostly specimen from
my own garden and that of my close friend,
Trish. She has quite the green thumb with
succulents, even going so far as to create a
framed hanging succulent garden. Its quite
spectacular! Im always eager to go to her
house and see whats new. She has shared
with me many pups to propagate in my
own garden. Probably one of my favorite
paintings was from a photo I took in her
garden. Its an Echeveria of a variety I
couldnt say but wowwhat color and
grace! Its titled, Shooting Off Rainbows,
because the blooms on it were just glowing
with color. Shooting Off Rainbows

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Athena Mantl - A Prickly Infatuation
My most recent succulent painting is another

stunning echeveria from Trishs garden that I found
nestled in the waterfall rocks of her backyard.
Capturing the subtle changes of color required
many layers of paint. This one is titled Sunburst.
It was painted with acrylic on paper. I left the white
of the paper because I felt the starkness of the
white background would really make the succulent
pop!
Sunburst
My challenge in painting these delicate creatures is
capturing the light and subtle colors that define
their beauty. Many people think that they are just
boring desert plants and pass them by without a
second look. Not me, they always cause me to stop
in my tracks and grab my phone to take a photo.
Im fortunate to find them in everyday places like
street medians and in many home and commercial
landscapes. Ill take a desert garden full of cacti, succulents and agave any day over green grass! I think they turn a
average street into a beautiful scene. In this area, many home owners have incentives to turn their water thirsty
lawns into draught tolerant landscapes so there is a definite trend in Los Angeles to have these low water yards
instead of the traditional grass and hedges that we used to see everywhere.
Ive captured some local scenes that include as the focal point Agave attenuata. I did three paintings from the same
location looking opposite ways down the street in front of this incredible garden. I had to paint all three viewpoints
because they totally captured me! This house had a fully mature desert garden and it was a feast to see, so many
different specimens, if I could only peek in the backyard to see what I missed there.
Broadview Collage Jardin de Cactus

A few years ago, I took a trip to Joshua tree and discovered a more true desert landscape. I did a few paintings of the
desert but I actually prefer a more densly clustered landscape like the gardens I see around town. Probably because the
variety is so great and it is much more colorful. But it was interesting to see the plants in their natural environment.
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Joshua Tree Collage

Word got out that I was painting desert plants and I started receiving photos from friends as suggestions for possible
subjects. I had scouts all over town on the lookout for beautiful plants. The best part was that I was getting others to
see the beauty that surrounded them. I received some photos from a friend of these Coral Aloes and created a series
of oil paintings on paper.
Coral Aloe Collage

In my own garden, I have a large blue agave that is perfectly symmetrical planted in a copper fire pit that we decided
had better use as a pot for our prized agave. It has sprouted many pups since it has been in the fire pit and one day I
walked by it and saw these amazing shadows cast on the pups. I ran back inside and grabbed my camera to capture it. I
titled this series, Shadow Dance, as it was really a study in the beauty of the shadows. I love the colors and the shape
of the menacing thorns of the agave leaves found in the shadows that remind us just how painful these can be.
Shadow Dance Collage

This particular Agave has given me much material to work from. I admire it out in my garden every day.
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Prickly Collage
Sometimes a plant requires more than one interpretation. In this case I did a pastel study, titled prickly of a blue
agave on black paper. I love the texture that pastel can create. I used the same photo reference to create a much
larger (3x5) painting in oil and Prickly 2 was born. I really love playing with the subtlety of color changes that
occur on the leaves and showing the impressions on the leaves from the ones that surround it as it grows, painting it
in oil allowed me to show all the details. I could just get lost in all those patterns. Could I be more obsessed? I
suppose I could have pet names for my plants, but thankfully, I dont.
To see more of my prickly obsessions you can visit my website or follow me on Facebook.
Athena
O pasiune neptoare
de Athena Mantle, Sunland, California
(traducere prescurtat)
Agavele i suculentele n general m-au fascinat ntotdeauna. Sunt att de rezistente, dar rspndesc i mult frumusee. Nu
cunosc numele lor, eu sunt doar o artist i nu specialist n horticultura. mi place s m concentrez asupa detaliilor plantelor,
sau s le plasez ntr-un cadru urban, atunci cnd le pictez. Cred c muli oameni nu observ detaliile, dar tocmai acestea fac
suculentele att de unice. De cele mai multe ori pictez plante din gradina mea sau a prietenei mele Trish. Una din picturile mele
preferate este o Echeveria, dup o fotografie fcut n gradina ei. Ce culori i ct graie! Este intitulat Shooting Off
Rainbows, deoarece inflorescenele ei strluceau n culori diferite. O alt Echeveria din grdin a fost pictat n ulei acrilic pe
hrtie i surprinde schimbrile subtile de culoare, lucru pentru care a trebuit s folosesc straturi succesive. Este intitulat
"Sunburst".
Aceste creaturi delicate sunt o provocare pentru mine. Muli oameni le consider plictisitoare, dar eu prefer oricnd o gradin
plin cu cactui, suculente i agave, unui gazon mrginit de garduri vii. Am cteva scene locale, care includ ca punct focal Agave
attenuata. Am fcut trei picturi, cu plante din aceeai locaie, o grdin incredibil. O grdin deertic matur, cu specimene
att de diferite, aproape c-mi venea s intru n curtea din spate, numai ca s vad ce am pierdut acolo.
Acum civa ani, am fcut o excursie la Joshua Tree i am descoperit un peisaj deertic mai adevrat. Am fcut i n deert cteva
picturi, dar eu tot prefer peisaje mai dens grupate, ca n grdinile urbane. Probabil c varietatea lor este mult mai mare i sunt
mai divers colorate. Dar a fost interesant pentru c am vzut plante n mediul lor natural. Prietenii au aflat c am pictat n deert
i am nceput s primesc fotografii i sugestii. Printre altele i cteva fotografii cu o Aloe coral, dup care am fcut o serie de
picturi n ulei pe hrtie.
Am n grdin o agav albastr mare, lstrit i, ntr-o zi, trecnd ntmpltor, am observat umbrele uimitoare mprtiate. Am luat
repede aparatul de fotografiat pentru a captura imaginea. Am intitulat aceast serie, "Shadow Dance", pentru c a fost cu adevarat
un studiu al frumuseii umbrei. Aceast agav mi-a oferit mult material de studiu. Uneori, o plant necesit mai mult dect o simpl
interpretare. Am fcut un studiu de pastel, intitulat "neptor", de agave albastre pe hrtie neagr. mi place textura care o poate
crea pastelul. Am folosit aceeai referire fotografic pentru a crea un tablou mult mai mare (3'x5 ") n ulei i astfel s-a nascut
"neptor 2 ". Chiar imi place s m joc cu subtilele tranziii de culoare care apar pe frunze iar pictura n ulei mi-a permis s art
toate detaliile. A putea fi mai obsedat dect att? Cred c a putea da nume plantelor mele, dar din fericire, nu o fac.
Pentru a vedea mai multe dintre obsesiile mele putei vizita site-ul meu sau putei s m urmai pe Facebook.
Athena

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The readers diary
Eduart Zimer - Alfriston Botanic Gardens (3)
Ariocarpus et cetera - the special, smaller genera

of Mexican cacti (2006, The British Cactus and Succulent Society)
by John Pilbeam and Bill Weightman
Although it is a fairly old book, Ariocarpus et cetera written by John Pilbeam and the
late Bill Weightman, I think it definitely presents a huge interest for cactus enthusiasts
even today, seven years after being published. I have to admit, once again, that I held
the book in my hands for the first time only a few months ago. Unlike other Pilbeam
books, this is not a monograph, but presents several minor Mexican genera not
necessarily closely related to each other. However, even if not closely related from
botanical point of view - this book brings together a number of species that are
naturally appreciated by the same category of collectors. Generally particularly
interesting genera that include a low number of species, and therefore unlikely to be
treated in a dedicated book. There is one exception though: Cumarinia, which is
usually included in Coryphantha; however, the authors have seen plants in habitat and
they felt it was necessary to treat them separately.
Unlike other cactus books there are little comments and advices on cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases ...
but still addressing the essential aspects (anyway it can only be very unspecific, if we take into account the diversity
of species discussed here). These issues are taken up, when and if appropriate, in the chapters dedicated for the
species.
Following genera are treated here: Acharagma, Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, Cumarinia, Epithelantha, Geohintonia,
Leuchtenbergia, Lophophora, Neolloydia, Obregonia, Ortegocactus, Pelecyphora, Stenocactus, Strombocactus,
Toumeya, and Turbinicarpus.
Being numerous and very diverse genera, the authors take their time and freedom to deal in more detail, dwelling on
elements often skipped in similar works. The plant descriptions are sufficiently detailed and readers can find
sometimes anecdotal reports and references to other authors or their very own experience in habitat. All species /
subspecies recognized at the time are generally treated; often there are references and comments in regards to
synonyms and other taxonomic issues, and - as always in Pilbeams books there is bibliographical guidance on each
and every taxon.
The photos are excellent and show both cultivated and habitat plants.
Overall, this is a great book for the more demanding rare Mexican cactus collector!
Therefore our rating is

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Alfriston Botanic Gardens (partea 3-a)
Eduart Zimer, Auckland, Noua Zeeland
n acest episod am s v prezint cteva din Agavele din Alfriston Botanic Gardens (ABG) precum i cteva plante
aparinnd unor genuri aliate cum ar fi Yucca sau Beaucarnea (orict ar ncerca taxonomitii s le reclasifice i s le
recombine, pentru mine tot genuri aliate rmn). Dac Aloele sunt spectaculoase mai ales n perioadele mai rcoroase
ale anului i n mod special iarna, atunci cnd nfloresc Agavele din ABG sunt, pentru mine cel puin, o atracie
permanent. i nu vorbim numai de cteva plante, ci de peste 50 de specii diferite care reprezint probabil cea mai
complet colecie de Agave cultivate n aer liber n Noua Zeeland. Ce este fascinant la genul Agave este imensa
diversitate cu care este exprimat o form monoton i strict i nici foarte original de altfel. Privii, comparativ,
fotografiile urmtoarelor plante i vei nelege perfect ce vreau s spun: Agave angustifolia, A. cupreata, A. geminiflora
i A. decipiens cte variaiuni splendide pe o tem dat! Cele mai multe specii sunt originare din Mexic i SUA.
Fig. 1 Agave angustifolia Fig. 2 Agave cupreata
Fig. 3 Agave geminiflora Fig. 4 Agave decipiens
Ceea ce particularizeaz Agavele fa de alte plante este statura lor plante masive dar elegante, cu forme
arhitecturale, care pot avea un mare impact vizual n orice grdin. Prin aceasta, micile variaii pe care ncercm s
le desluim febril la alte plante (ca de exemplu subtile variaii ale spinaiei sau formei areolelor la cactui) capt cu
totul alte dimensiuni... din punctul meu de vedere Agavele sunt plante miraculoase. i (cunoscnd habitatul lor de
regul uscat pn la semi-arid) deosebit de adaptabile la iernile ploioase din Auckland. Unele cel puin...

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Fig. 5 Agave ocahui var. longifolia Fig. 6 Agave chiapensis
Fig. 7 Agave atrovirens Fig. 8 Agave atrovirens - bulbils
Dac admirarea i fotografierea inflorescenelor de Aloe este o adevrat pasiune pentru mine, nu pot spune, din
pcate, acelai lucru i despre Agave. Lucru oarecum de mirare, pentru c nu ntlneti n orice zi stlpi de telegraf
nali de 6-7 metri ncrcai cu flori... Dar, adevrul este c nu am dect foarte puine fotografii ale acestora... i nu
tocmai reuite. Cert este c acord mai mult atenie seminelor sau bulbililor care se formeaz la unele specii (vezi
fotografiile cu A. atrovirens i A. obscura).

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Fig. 9 Agave scabra Fig. 10 Agave scabra
Fig. 11 Agave ocahui var. longifolia Fig. 12 Agave obscura - bulbils
Cum am mai spus, ABG gzduiete poate cea mai complet colecie de Agave ce pot fi cultivate n aer liber n Noua
Zeeland, lipseste ns cea mai comun dintre specii Agave americana, care cunoate numeroase forme
interesante (inclusiv cteva splendori variegate). n orice caz colecia ABG include Agave franzosinii, despre care se
banuiete c este o mutaie spontan a A. americana aprut n cultur i care a fost descoperit (cultivat evident)
n Europa spre sfritul sec. 19. O alt absen de marc este A. attenuata, deosebit de popular n grdinile din
Noua Zeeland.
O specie deosebit de spectaculoas este Agave striata, cu aspect foarte diferit de plantele cu frunze late, puternice i
narmate cu epi viguroi.... frunzele acestei plante sunt extrem de numeroase (de ordinul sutelor) i nguste de
numai 1 cm, plantele putnd avea, n funcie de form, de la 30 cm la 120 cm nlime i diametru. O plant frumoas
i neobinuit mai ales cnd lstrete... eu unul nu m mai satur privind-o!

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Fig. 13 Agave franzosinii Fig. 14 Agave striata

Desigur, multe Agave din colecia ABG nu sunt tocmai rariti ci plante chiar foarte populare: Agave ferox (specie
care am avut bucuria i surpriza s o gsesc n curs de naturalizare la Napier, Hawkes Bay, Noua Zeeland - poate va
exista cndva un articol pe aceast tem), A. macroacantha, A. kerchovei, A. palmeri cu frunze arcuite elegant, o
adevrat splendoare!, A. macroculmis, A. parryi var. parryi, A. guadalajarana, etc. Nu raritatea speciilor m
fascineaz ns, ci caracterul acestor plante. Mai mult, o Agav este doar o Agav i pot trece pe lng ea fr s m
opresc prea mult, dar cnd sunt nconjurat de mai multe zeci de specimene, uneori att de asemntoare, dar i att
de diferite n acelai timp, fiecare avnd parc o personalitate unic eu unul m simt copleit.
Colecia ABG se completeaz n fiecare an cu 2 3 specii noi i cuprinde i cteva specii mai puin comune n colecii.
Una dintre ele este Agave pelona o frumoas specie mexican cu frunze verzi, mrginite de o muche cornoas de
culoare sngerie pn la brun-rocat nchis, i care este i o mic enigma (*). Mai mult, foarte multe forme din natur
nu au muchea sngerie, plantele avnd un aspect mult mai banal. Aparent, din habitat au fost colectate
preponderent clone... mai colorate i mai spectaculoase!
Fig. 15 Agave macroacantha Fig. 16 Agave kerchovei
Ca s nchid capitolul Agave mai exist o specie ce nu a putut fi identificat nc (Fig. 23), numit oficial Agave no ID
pe plcuele de indentificare; mie mi se pare oarecum asemntoare cu A. obscura, dar a fi recunosctor dac cineva,
vzand fotografia, ar avea o sugestie n ceea ce privete numele. Am colectat semine, dar sunt nc n stadiul de
plantule foarte tinere.
Nu pot s omit ceea ce n mod obinuit sunt numite genuri evident aliate, aliane destul de rvite ns de
avalana de recombinri i reclasificri recente (care a culminat cu dispariia oficial a fam. Agavaceae) Beaucarnea
/ Nolina, Dasylirion, Beschorneria, Yucca, etc.
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Fig. 17 Yucca carnerosana Fig. 18 Yucca guatemalensis

Chiar dac selecia ABG este mai puin reprezentativ n aceast privin, pot fi admirate exemplare superbe de
Yucca guatemalensis (mai cunoscut sub numele de Y. elephantipes), Y. glauca minunat cnd nfloreste, Y.
rostrata o splendoare de plant cu multe sute de frunze nguste, persistente i cnd se usuc, terminate cu un spin
perfid, Y. whipplei (lipsete ns Y. gloriosa, plant naturalizat n Noua Zeeland), mai multe exemplare frumuele de
Beaucarnea (Nolina) guatemalensis, Beschorneria yuccoides, etc.
V las deocamdat n compania fotografiilor, iar n episodul urmtor o s ncerc s v prezint cactaceele cultivate n
aer liber la ABG.
Fig. 19 Agave titanota Fig. 20 Manfreda variegata
(*) Dei inclus n seria Marginatae, habitatul acesteia (lng Caborca, n miezul deertului Sonora) se afl la mare distan de
cel al altor plante din serie; n plus A. pelona se deosebete prin muchia cornoas continu (n mod tipic zimat la Marginatae)
i florile n forma de clopoel (mici i tubulare la Marginatae).

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Alfriston Botanic Gardens (part 3)

by Eduart Zimer, Auckland, New Zealand
In this episode I will try to present some of the Agave plants being cultivated at Alfriston Botanic Gardens (ABG) and
very briefly also few of the allied genera, such as Yucca or Beaucarnea (whatever the taxonomists try to reclassify and
recombine them into, I cant help but see them as Agave relatives). If the Aloes are spectacular especially in cooler
periods of the year - and especially in winter, when flowering - the Agaves of ABG represent, for me at least, a
permanent attraction. And we're not talking just a few plants, but well over 50 different species - this is probably the
most complete outdoors grown Agave collection in New Zealand. What fascinates me at the Agaves is the boundless
diversity expressed by a form which is basically very meticulous but somewhat pedestrian, and not very original or
uncommon at all! Look comparatively at the plants in following pictures and you will understand exactly what I mean:
Agave angustifolia, A. cupreata, A. geminiflora and A. decipiens how many beautiful variations on a given theme!
Most species are native to Mexico, USA and Central America.
Fig. 21 Agave palmeri Fig. 22 Agave guadalajarana
The one thing that makes Agave very special, particularizing them from other plants is their size they are large
plants but ensuring elegant and architectural shapes that can have a big visual impact in any garden. By this, all the
small variations we often consider of strategic importance when we feverish observe in other plants (such as
subtle variations in spine or areole size, colour and shape in cacti) gain new magnitudes... from my point of view the
Agaves are miraculous plants. And (knowing that their natural habitat is usually dry to semiarid) very easy-going in
Aucklands rainy winters. Some of them at least ...
Fig. 23 Agave no ID (aff. obscura) Fig. 24 Agave pelona

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While admiring and photographing Aloe inflorescences became in time a real passion for me, unfortunately I cannot
say the same thing about the Agaves. This might look somewhat surprising, because you dont encounter any day 6-7
meters tall "telegraph poles" loaded with flowers ... But its not my thing and it happens that I have only very few
such pictures... and not the greatest ever taken anyway. Fact is that I paid more attention to the seeds or bulbils that
form in some species (see the pictures of A. atrovirens and A. obscura).
Fig. 25 Agave potatorum (var. verschaffeltii) Fig. 26 Agave dasylirioides
Like I said, ABG hosts perhaps the most complete New Zealand outdoors grown Agave collection, but the most
common species is missing the sculptural Agave americana, very variable and of which many interesting forms are
known (included some variegated beauties). However the ABG collection includes Agave franzosinii, which is
believed to be a spontaneous mutation occurred in cultivated A. americana, and was discovered (obviously in
cultivated state) in Europe towards the end of the 19th century. Another unfortunate absence is A. attenuata, a very
popular feature of New Zealand gardens.
A very spectacular species is A. striata, a species looking quite different from the typical strong, wide-leaved and
heavily spined plants ....the species has very numerous leaves (literally hundreds of them) and very narrow up to 1
cm; the plants size varies, depending on the form, from 30 cm to 120 cm in both height and diameter. A beautiful
and unusual plant, especially when offsetting ... I simply cant get enough of it!
Fig. 27 Agave ferox ssp. ferox Fig. 28 Agave parryi var. parryi (Agave patonii)
Of course, many of the Agaves from the ABG collection are not exactly rare but very popular plants: Agave ferox (I
had the enjoyment and surprise to see it in full naturalization process in Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, and
maybe someday Ill write an article about this), A. macroacantha, A. kerchovei, A. palmeri - with gracefully arching

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leaves, really gorgeous!, !, A. macroculmis, A. parryi var. parryi, A. guadalajarana, etc. However, it is not the rarity of
a species that fascinates me... but the character of those plants. More, an Agave is an Agave and and can stream
past it without stopping too much or at all, but if Im surrounded by dozens and dozens of specimens, sometimes so
similar, but so different at the same time, each with a unique personality though - I for one feel simply overwhelmed.
Fig. 29 Agave schidigera Fig. 30 Agave obscura
Fig. 31 Agave macroculmis Fig. 32 Dasylirion longissimum
Fig. 33 Dasylirion acrotrichum Fig. 34 Yucca glauca

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Yearly ABG adds 2 3 new species to its collection, which includes also some of the more unusual Agaves. One of
them is A. pelona a beautiful mexican plant with green leaves with blood-red to brown-red entire corneous
margins and terminal spine, a plant which is actually a small mystery (*). Furthermore, many natural forms in habitat
dont have that blood-red margin, plants being more commonplace. Apparently, mostly the colourful and spectacular
clones... were collected from the habitat!
Fig. 35 Beaucarnea guatemalensis (Nolina guatemalensis) Fig. 36 Beaucarnea stricta (Nolina stricta)
To wrap up the Agave chapter now, there is this species that has not been identified yet (Fig. 22), officially
mentioned on ID tags as Agave sp. No ID; it seems to me somewhat similar to A. obscura, but I would be grateful if
anyone seeing the picture, would have a suggestion. I have collected seeds, but seedlings are much too small for
identification at this stage.
I cannot overlook plants commonly regarded as obviously allied genera, alliances that have been somewhat torn
apart by the avalanche of recent reclassifications and recombinations (culminating with the official write-off of
Agavaceae family) Beaucarnea / Nolina, Dasylirion, Beschorneria, Yucca, etc.
Even if the ABG selection is less representative in this regard, you still have the chance to admire superb specimens
of Yucca guatemalensis (usually labelled Y. elephantipes), Y. glauca amazing when in flower, Y. rostrata a
magnificent plant with several hundreds of narrow leaves, persistent after they dry out, and bearing a treacherous
but less obvious terminal spine, Y. whipplei (however, the common Y. gloriosa, a New Zealand naturalized species is
missing), several artsy specimens of Beaucarnea (Nolina) guatemalensis, Beschorneria yuccoides, etc.
I will leave you in the company of the pictures for now, while in the next episode I will try to present the cacti
scattered outdoors here at ABG.

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Fig. 37 Yucca elata Fig. 38 Yucca whipplei
Fig. 39 Nolina beldingii
(*) Although included in series Marginatae, its habitat (near Caborca, in the core of the Sonoran desert) is far away from the
other species of the series; more, A. pelona is distinguished by the entire corneous leaf margin (typically toothed in Marginatae)
and bell-shaped flowers (small and tubular in Marginatae).

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Bits and Pieces
Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez Cacti on Trees
Cacti on trees
by Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mxico
Epiphytic cacti?????? What comes to mind are genera like Epiphyllum, Rhypsalis and Hylocereus. These species are
mostly tropical, but this way of life is not unique to these genera and these climatic types, as life has capricious ways
of coping with challenges. Some other cactus species turn, when in need, to the epiphytic way of life. I will present
this in this short report.
Cacti are plants that are, as we all know, mostly adapted to drought conditions, low fertility substrates, and generally
extreme conditions; these adaptations have been developed over thousands and thousands of years, through natural
selection. Because of this type of adaptations they can live in small cracks between the stones, on almost sterile soils
and as we will show here - this time on the trunks of trees and climbed on other plants.
Fig. 1, 2 The tree with Tillandsia and cacti Mammillaria elongata and Ferocactus echidne. Some of them in a close-up photos.
First of all we must understand that these cacti do not pose any harm to their host (these are not parasitic plants), as
this only serves as protector and as direct support. This creates an association without damage to either party.
This way of life had not seen before in typically non-epiphytic cactus species, and it was a very pleasant surprise
when I saw the first plant to grow in this way: a Mammillaria elongata in Sierra del Doctor! This has got me thinking.
It was pretty strange how they managed to grow and actually to survive. How did they get the water from? Or the
nutrients? I started then making deductions: perhaps there is a little amount of soil that has been blown by wind and
deposited there, or maybe from the leaves and bark chips from trees which over time breaks down and begins to
turn into compost, or perhaps some nitrogen input from bird droppings, etc.
Fig. 3, 4 Ferocactus echidne, Sierra El Infiernillo, Qro. and Mammillaria hahniana in Bursera morelense, Xichu, Gto.

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Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez Cacti on Trees
Fig. 5, 6 Mammillaria hahniana in Bursera morelense, Xichu and in Calibanus hookeri, El Guamuchil, Guanajuato
Besides the specific conditions that had to have seeds to germinate there and how they got there, the fact is that it
must have been a combination of many different factors so that a plant could get to survive, grow and as you can
see - even thrive in such conditions.
And this was not the only sight of plants growing in this kind of association, later I saw the same situation but this
time on a very unique plant, respectively on the trunks and logs of a resinous tree Bursera morelense, a tree having a
very thin peeling bark, which maintained a Mammillaria hahniana in a fork of its trunks. The trunk of this particular
tree becomes extremely difficult for any other plant to grow on, since its bark characteristics are unfavourable for
the attachment and germination of seeds, but yet this did not stop them to go ahead provide us with such a
wonderful view.
and these are just few of the cases in the future I hope to find many more species growing on trees and to
present many more photos
The photographs have been taken in two different sites, both located in the municipality of Guadalcazar, San Luis
Potosi, Mexico. The majority of these plants flower in November but the sluggish ones as late as December.
Cactui n copaci
de Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexic
Abstract
Cnd te gndeti la cactui epifii gndul i zboar spre genuri tropicale cum ar fi Epiphyllum, Rhypsaliss sau
Hylocereus. Restul cactuilor sunt ntlnii n mod special n zone aride, cu sol puin fertil, crescnd n condiii
extreme. Totui, capacitatea lor de adaptare este att de mare, nct oricine ar putea fi surprins ei pot crete i n
condiii epifite, pe ramuri sau mbinrile acestora, unde probabil c s-a putut forma o acumulare superficial de sol.
n continuare sunt prezentate cteva cazuri cum ar fi un arbore n care, pe mai multe etaje cresc att Mammillaria
elongata, ct i Ferocactus echidne. Spectaculoas este prezena total neateptat a unei Mammillaria hahniana
crescnd pe trunchiurile unui arbore rinos - Bursera morelense a crui scoar neted nu permite acumularea de
praf i nici ascunderea rdcinillor plantei n crpturi adnci unde ar putea gsi umiditate. n sfrit ne este
prezentat o alt Mammillaria hahniana, crescnd pe trunchiul unui caudeciform: straniul Calibanus hookeri.
Fotografiile au fost fcute n dou locaii diferite din Municipalitatea Guadalcazar, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
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Onlines magazines Bits and Pieces
Online magazines
Various publications: We start with a new free online journal that we missed last issue The Cactician, edited by Roy
Mottram and hosted by International Crassulaceae Network. This journal is focused on taxonomy, botanical history,
botanical databases and other topics on cacti and succulents. Three issues have been published to date, each discussing
a distict topic: Typification and application of the name Aloe perfoliata L.; Notes on Desmidorchis retrospiciens Ehrenb.;
and the Linnaean cactus legacy. A wealth of information! By the time we write this no other new Crassulacea issue has
been published, however, we have to remind you about this excellent journal containing miscellaneous notes and
observations published by the International Crassulaceae Network.
Monthly journals: The Acc Aztekium Journal continues its monthly appearances, with the same interesting and varied
summary (in Romanian). After a summer holiday break Avonia-News is back in August with a double issue packed with
highly interesting articles on succulent flora, written by German and International authors: Plant Profile - Crassula
pyramidalis Thunberg, 1778 (by Judd Kirkel Welwitsch), Cultivation Tips for Gibbaeum (by Eddy Harris), Sempervivum -
Novelties 2013 (by Erwin Geiger), An extensive travel report from Zimbabwe (by Judd Kirkel Welwitsch), and much
more... In German, with some articles also in English. And, as usual, the layout is impeccable; it's been a real pleasure
to read the 54 long pages journal!
Quarterly journals: Schtziana, Vol. 4, No. 2 (2013) continues the important work of removing the uncertainties
discovered in botanical literature and field works and clarify taxonomic issues, based of field collections and
documented material. In this issue Massimo Meregalli starts a new series: Gymnocalycium, subgenus Scabrosemineum,
of the surroundings of Mazan (Argentina, provinces La Rioja and Catamarca) - 1. Gymnocalycium ferrarii Rausch 1981.
Succulentopi@, the journal edited by our francophone colleagues, includes in its latest issue (No. 6), a number of
interesting articles focused specifically on the presentation and description of cacti and succulent plants. From this
number there we mention: Conophytum, Lithops & Co. series Juttadinteria, Astridia, and Hereroa; a reprint from
Vol. 2, No. 4, March 2013: an excellent article by Daniel Schweich - The genus Lobivia Br. et R. in 2013, and
other highly interesting pictures and information. (In French).
In early July has appeared the third issue of Echinocereus Online-Journal, dedicated to the study of these plants
(classification, morphology and evolution). The articles, in German and accompanied by English abstracts, are written
by some of the great specialists of the genus: Dieter Felix, Wolfgang Blum, Herbert Bauer and Werner Rischer. We

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Onlines magazines
want to point out especially the particularly inciting open letter entitled Academicians and Cactus Lovers -
Professionals and Amateurs?. A fourth issue is in an advanced stage of production and will be put online in early
October. A special note for the exceptional editorial quality of this publication. (Well, all German publications are
exceptional!)
Last, but not least, Cactus Explorer the

first free on-line Journal for Cactus and
Succulent Enthusiasts, is now online with
No. 9 (August), and is very consistent and
packed with reports on plants and their
habitats or related topics: The elusive
Echeveria juarezensis (by John Pilbeam),
Meet Echinocactus parryi (by Aldo
Delladio), A day out at Chorillor (by Graham
Charles), an outstanding article on
Uebelmannia buiningii by Rudy Krajca, and
few others. Once again, an excellent issue.
Now, we wish to mention this time around
a printed publication as well. Graham
Charles is the new Editor of the yearbook
Bradleya, the flagship of the British Cactus
& Succulent Society, and Vol. 31/2013 just came out from the print. It includes very inciting and technical articles on
new taxons (Matucana rebutiiflora, Ferocactus wislizeni ssp. ajoensis, new Borzicactus and Ectotropis species), regional
monographs (The genus Aloe in Djibouti, The family Crassulaceae in continental Portugal), nomenclatural notes (on
various Agave, Aloe, Lobivia and Gymnocalycium species, Knersia gen. nov.), notes on biology and morphology of cacti
and other succulents, etc.
Jurnale online publicate n ultimele luni: The Cactician (o revist nou, editat de Roy Mottram, pe care v-o
recomandm cu cldur), Crassulacea, Jurnalul Acc Aztekium, Avonia-News, Schtziana, Succulentopi@, Echinocereus
Online-Journal, Cactus Explorer. Toate aceste jurnale care mprtesc cunoaterea pot fi descrcate gratuit. Dorim
s menionm de asemenea i o publicaie tiprit anuarul BCSS Bradleya, al crui numr 31/2013, ngrijit de noul
editor, Graham Charles, tocmai a aprut.

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Bits and Pieces
Website Stories
As cactus enthusiasts we are always keen to look for internet ressources which might help us improve our cultivation
skills, for the good of our beloved plants. From general gardening, to habitat and travelogue, to forums, to monographic
and personal pages, or anything in between... theres always a lot of useful information out there. But we rarely go
beyond certain limits that seem so natural to us. Apparently no need for high level science stuff, especially when we
face a problem plant in our pot we look instead for an easy fix. However, there are some other, alternative sources I
would say, that may not fix immediately our current problems but may help us on the long term. The readers of our
first special issue The Stone Eaters may have noticed that the bibliography indicated at the end of the feature article
referred several times to papers on rock colonization and breakdown, microbiologic populations of desert
environments or of the rhizoplane, and similar stuff... quite dry scientific papers... most of them being downloaded for
free from a single source: The Bashan Foundation.
The Bashan Foundation, established in 1999 by Dr. Yoav Bashan, an eminent
environmental microbiologist, is a giant data bank for free scientific information
that contains many thousands of scientific papers on various issues that support
environmental science, conservation of natural resources in environmentally
sensitive areas, ecological sites surveys, various, scientific and educational
publications, art (painting and music), and conducts also its own graduate
student fellowship program. Its not all about deserts or xerophytes, but
certainly you will find incredible amounts of information on xeric environments.
A huge archive of publications (by author) is available, mainly on soil
microbiology, plant pathology, plant-bacteria interactions, plant growth
promoting bacteria, plant pathology, cell biology, bio-chemistry, xeric
environments and plant populations, and much more. Extremely useful for
gaining a different perspective. Worth browsing for specific topics as it is a
wealth of knowledge.
I will stick with the non-conventional cactophile resources by presenting you another scientific project, but of a very
different nature: the website of the International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology, Florence, Italy. Well, some of us
might see in plants succulent or not intelligent living beings, being able of communicating and signalling, of
having intellectual responses, of solving problems
and planning ahead, of intentional movement,
generally of having intelligent behaviour, and so on.
However, for most of us, in the absence of neural
structures similar to the animals, it becomes hard to
believe that plants are so much different from the
passive beings we mostly consider them to be.
I.L.P.N. champions the scientific interest in plant
movements, sensitivity, and possible intelligence by
supporting research and making available to the
public and scientists alike several studies on plant
neurobiology and cellular chemistry. Our viewing of
plants is changing dramatically away from passive entities being merely subject to environmental forces and
organisms that are designed solely for accumulation of photosynthate. In contrast, plants emerge as dynamic and
highly sensitive organisms that actively and competitively forage for limited resources, both above and below ground,
organisms that accurately compute their circumstances, use sophisticated cost benefit analysis, and that take defined
actions to mitigate and control diverse environmental insults. Moreover, plants are also capable of a refined
recognition of self and non-self and are territorial in behavior. Highly interesting ! One might think twice now,
before beheading a plant and use it as a grafting stock.
ISSN 2285 3987
Cactus Hobby Brno
http://www.cactus-hobby.eu/
Owner: Ing. Jaromr Dohnalk, Brno, Czech
Republic
e-mail: order@cactus-hobby.eu
All year round production and on-line
distribution of cacti and succulents seeds
and plants, with all details requested by
connoisseurs: full botanical names, exact
habitat locations and field numbers. Every
month we regularly update all our
catalogues of cacti and succulents seeds and
plants.
Quickly on-line service for worldwide
customers.
Communication in English
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cactus-
Hobby-Brno/566667923357953
Aymeric de Barmon La Psy Serre
ADBLPS http://www.adblps-graines-cactus.com produces and sells more than

3000 entries of seeds from cacti and succulents. New list 2013 available now!
Many germination rates are available at

http://www.semeurs-de-cactus.fr

ISSN 2285 3987
www.aztekium.ro
Erratum
Aldo Delladio has kindly pointed out a typing error which slipped undetected in our special issue
The Stone Eaters.
The caption of Fig. 14 reads by mistake Pelecyphora aseliformis instead of Pelecyphora aselliformis, which is
the correct orthography Mille volte grazie, Aldo!

ISSN 2285 3987
ISSN 2285 3987

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Vol. 2, No.

3 (6) September 2013 1

Eriosyce napina ssp. Challensis in habitat and cultivation

Aztekium valdezii dossier

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 2

n timp, a trebuit s reevalum, la fiecare numr, elementul bilingv al revistei. Iniial

Flowering South African Crassula

1. Crassula mesembrianthemopsis Dinter (1923)

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 5

Fig. 2, 3 Crassula mesembryanthemopsis Pofadder, Northern Cape

2. Crassula namaquensis ssp. comptonii (Hutchison & Pillans) Tlken, 1975

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 6

3. Crassula plegmatoides H.-C.Friedrich, 1967

Fig. 6 Crassula plegmatoides - Western Richtersveld

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 7

Inflorescence is a terminal thyrse with spreading

4. Crassula alba var. alba Forsskal, 1775

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 8

The plants occurring more North of South Africa and into

5. Crassula columnaris ssp. prolifera H.-C. Friedrich, 1974

Fig. 11, 12 Crassula columnaris ssp. prolifera - Northern Cape

6. Crassula macowaniana Schnland & Baker fil., 1899

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 10

Fig. 14 Crassula macowaniana - Springbok

Fig. 15 Crassula macowaniana - Springbok

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 11

Fig. 16, 17 Crassula macowaniana - Khamiesburg Mountains

7. Crassula deceptor Schnland & Baker f., 1902

Fig. 19, 20 Crassula deceptor - Northern Cape

8. Crassula pyramidalis Thunberg, 1778

Roots fibrous, internodes completely covered by the

Fig. 22, 23 Crassula pyramidalis

9. Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris Thunberg, 1778

Short description: Growing on north or east facing lower

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 14

Perennial shrublets. The subsp. rupestris is very variable

Leaves: sessile, 0.5 1 (-1.5) cm long, (0.4-) 0.5 1 (1.5)

Inflorescence: Thyrse with few to numerous dichasia,

Flowers: pedicellate; sepals triangular, ca. 1 mm long,

Flowering time: June to October.

Fig. 25 - 27 Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 15

10. Crassula dichotoma L. 1760

References and acknowledgements

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 16

Vol. 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 17

Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus H.M. Hern. & E.F. Anderson

Fig. 1, 2 Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus El Nuez, Guadalcazar

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 18

Fig. 7, 8 Approximately 5 years old plants in cultivation and in habitat

Fig. 9 The habitat Nuez, Guadalcazar, San Luis Potosi

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 19

Other flora present in the distribution area

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 20

Fig. 10 In the land of Yucca carnerosana

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 21

Fig. 14, 15 Flowering plants are easier observed

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 22

Greed for obtaining these specimens came to such a

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 23

Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas

Interview with Dr. Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macas

Vol 2, No. 3 (6) September 2013 25