[Sacred Succulents] Sacred Succulents updates #1

benkamm at monitor.net benkamm at monitor.net
Mon Dec 1 09:54:05 PST 2008


Please respond to: sacredsucculents at hushmail.com
Hello friends,

Here?s the first Sacred Succulents email newsletter. We hope to get one of 
these sent out every 4-6 weeks to keep you updated as new seed is 
harvested and plants propagated. 
Autumn here in northern California has been unusually mild and dry. It?s 
been fantastic for working in the garden, but we?re beginning to get 
nostalgic for the rain and repeated frosts that typically dictate our Fall 
experience. We were graced with an amazing display of Ariocarpus flowers 
this year, we had hundreds blooming September through the first half of 
this month, which allowed us to make many interesting crosses. Look for 
hybrid seed next Summer. 
A diverse and fascinating array of new plants and seeds this email along 
with some sale items. For all of you Trichophiles, we just finished 
harvesting and cleaning seed of a selection of new Trichocereus crosses. 

We are beginning to plan another expedition to the Andes next Spring. 
There may be an opportunity for a few of you to join up with us to study 
and explore in Peru. We?ll be sending out a more detailed email in the 
next few days.

Ben will be contributing to a course on integrating medicinal & beneficial 
plants in permaculture and agroforestry systems, North Kohala, Big Island 
of Hawaii, January 17-21, 2009. 
He?ll be joined by colleaugues: Jerry Black; ethnobotanist, founder of 
Amazon Therapeutics Laboratories and the Oregon Exotics Nursery. Tom 
Baldwin & Shannon Casey; horticulturalists and land stewards of Ulewehi 
Farm. Neil Logan; ethnobotanist, agroforestry systems designer and recent 
traveling companion in South America. Others TBA. 
$450 includes fresh organic meals and on site camping ($375 early 
registration by December 1st!) 
Registration payment can be sent to Shannon Casey POB 910, Kapa?au, HI 
96755 or email talkstory@ uluwehifarm.com 
See attached PDF flyer at the bottom of this email. 

Thanks to Josh & Mara, our website is slowly evolving, we'll eventually 
have photos, though don't look for shopping carts or dancing cacti anytime 
soon... http://www.sacredsucculents.com

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - a new issue will mail out later this week. If you 
are not subscribed or have let your subscription lapse, we encourage you 
to sign up now. 4 issues for $5 or 8 issues for $8. This is where we list 
our offerings of rarities and specimens. A few highlights from the new 
issue include - new Ariocarpus hybrids, Trichocereus chilensis hybrids, 
mutant San Pedro specimens, Mammillaria with collection data, Rhodiola 
plants, new seed from Eastern Russia, and some of our seed collections 
from Peru & Bolivia.

GIFT CERTIFICATES - are always available!

NEW ITEMS

BOOK: THE REMARKABLE BAOBAB by Thomas Pakenham
Acclaimed historian and author of Remarkable Trees of the World, devotes 
an entire volume to one of the most impressive life forms on our planet, 
the fantastical Baobab tree. 8 years in the making, the author traveled 
the world in search of the most striking Baobabs, this book is a 
photographic and literary ode to these gargantuan trees. Covers the 
ecology, mythology, religious impact, value as food, medicine, and 
shelter. An informative and entertaining read, packed full of spectacular 
and bizarre color photographs.
Hardcover, color photographs, 145 pages $14 (normally $20!) ? Count as 2 
plants for shipping or $4 Media Mail

Andean Collection Photos and Notes 2008
CD containing 340 photos of plants, landscapes and archaeological sites 
from recent expedition to Peru & Bolivia along with a list of our complete 
seed collections of nearly 200 species containing ethnobotanical notes and 
cultivation suggestions.  $10 postage paid in the USA, foreign orders add 
$2 shipping
We still have some seed available from the journey, email us for the 
pricelist or check the website.

CACTACEAE
Corryocatus brevistylus ?Sancayo?
Columnar plant to 10?20' tall. 6?8 ribs and spines occasionally over 9"! 
Deep yellow flowers followed by huge fruit the size of a softball. Native 
to southern Peru, northern Chile. Superficially resembles Trichocereus 
peruvianus. The sap of the plant was once used as a shampoo. The large 
fruits are very sour and widely hailed as liver and kidney cleanser. Also 
blended as a alcoholic drink. Grow like Trichocereus. Hardy below 25° F. 
Seed packet $3

Echinocereus triglochidiatus ?White Sands, NM?
Giant form the hedgehog cactus that grows to 3' + tall! Stout spines, 
carmine flowers. Should be hardy to 10° F.    Seed packet $3

Trichocereus Hybrid Seed $4 Per Packet
Trichocereus huanucoensis X Trichocereus peruvianus ?Serra Blue?
Trichocereus huanucoensis X Trichocereus peruvianus/ ?Juul?s Giant? hybrid
Trichocereus peruvianus ?Serra Blue? X Trichocereus sp. SS02
Trichocereus peruvianus ?Serra Blue? X Trichocereus huanucoensis
Trichocereus taquimbalensis Kimnach 2760B X Trichocereus bridgesii
Trichocereus sp. BBG? X Trichocereus sp. SS02
Trichocereus sp. SS02 X Trichocereus peruvianus ?Serra Blue? 500 seed $18
Trichocereus sp. SS02 X Trichocereus peruvianus/ ?Juul?s Giant? hybrid
Trichocereus sp. SS02 X Trichocereus huanucoensis

OTHER SUCCULENTS & XEROPHYTES

Agave ovatifolia ?Noga? ?Whale?s Tongue Agave?
Agavaceae. Seedlings of this amazing new hardy species from the mountains 
of Mexico. See catalog for full info.       2" plant $6.50

Boophane disticha  ?Gifbol?  ?Incwadi?  ?Leshoma?
Amaryllidaceae. Large bulb usually growing partially above ground. 
Annually produces a dense umbel of numerous pink-red flowers followed by a 
fan of blue-green strap-like leaves. Occurs sporadically throughout 
southern Africa up into central Africa. One of the most important 
medicinal and visionary plants of southern Africa. See B. haemanthoides in 
the main catalog for more info.        Seedling 1+ years old $7

Boswellia neglecta ?Frankincense? ?Ubani?
Burseraceae. Small tree to 24'. Thickened branches, grey bark, and hairy 
feathery leaves. Native to eastern Africa. The aromatic resin is a 
commercial source of frankincense. The resin is traditionally used as an 
incense and antiseptic chewing gum. The bark is used for wound healing and 
decocted as a tonic. Grow like Bursera. Does well as a bonsai. Protect 
from cold.        5 seed $5

Boswellia serrata ?Indian Frankincense? ?Salai?
Burseraceae. Deciduous succulent tree 15?35'+ tall, thickened stems and 
peeling bark. Pinnate leaves with serrate margins. Native to the dry 
tropical forests of India and Pakistan. A highly important medicinal and 
sacred aromatic incense, similar to African Frankincense, B. sacra. 
Exceedingly scarce in cultivation. Grow like Bursera. No frost. 5 seed $5

Commiphora glandulosa ?Moroka?
Burseraceae. Small bush to tree. Yellow peeling bark, spiny branches with 
simple leaves. Balsam scented sap. South Africa. Browsed by elephants. 
Cuttings are planted as a living fence. Good firestarter. Another 
excellent bonsai. Protect from frost.         5 seed $4

Commiphora guillaumini ?Arofy? 
Attractive medium size tree with pinnate leaves. Native to the dry 
deciduous forests of western Madagascar. Considered an important timber 
tree. The Mikea make a preparation of the bark for wound healing. A rare 
favorite among collectors of bonsai-able succulents. Protect from Winter 
cold.    5 seed $5

Commiphora marlothii ?Muwirowiro?
Burseraceae. Aromatic medium size tree with green to golden peeling bark. 
Compound leaves, small yellow flowers, and red edible fruit. Native to dry 
rocky areas of south eastern Africa. The fruit is made into jam. Another 
interesting myrrh species. No frost.       5 seed $4
6?10"+ seedling 1+ years old $9 or 2 for $15

Commiphora schimperi ?Seroka? ?Osilalei?  ?Myrrh?
Deciduous bush to small tree. Green bark that peels in yellow flakes. 
Densley arranged clusters of small trifoliate leaves adorn the spined 
branches. Small red flowers. Aromatic sap sometimes considered to be one 
of the official sources for Myrrh resin. Native to dry areas of east 
Africa, from north to south. Elephant food. This species is used by the 
Maasai in antimalaria preparations, and the young roots eaten for their 
sweet flavor. Sticks are considered excellent firestarters. Seed from 
South African populations. No frost.    5 seed $4

Ephedra breana ?Tume?
Ephedraceae. Upright bush to over  6'. Eventually forms a distinct trunk. 
Endemic to the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Wild collected seed. 
Traditionally used as a antibacterial and strongly stimulating tea. 
Thought to have the highest ephedrine levels of any species. Extremely 
drought tolerant and hardy to 25° F.    Seed packet $5

Ephedra chilensis ?Pingo-pingo?
Upright jointed shrub 1'?3'. Greenish flowers, white edible berries with a 
honey flavor. Native to the high mountains of central Chile. A traditional 
urinary tonic and aphrodisiac. Contains antioxidant proanthocyanidens and 
ephedrine? Hardy to 0° F.     Plant 1?2 years old $8

Ephedra chilensis ?Pink Berry? ?Pingo-pingo?
Upright jointed shrub 1'?3'. Greenish flowers. A distinct pink fruited 
form from lower elavations in central Chile. Hardy to at least 10° F. Seed 
packet $3.50

Eriodictyon californica BK081111.1 ?Yerba Santa?
Hydrophyllaceae. Shrub to 8' tall. Thick resinous linear leaves with 
toothed margins, dark green with white undersides. Clusters of small 
tubular white flowers. California native. The flavonoid rich sticky leaves 
are a powerful decongestant. Smoked and chewed as a tobacco substitute. 
Does best in full sun and poor soil. A rugged plant, can take drought and 
cold to at least 15° F. Seed collected on Mt. St. Helena (Mt. Mayacmas), 
4,000', Calistoga, CA.   Seed packet $3.50

Euclea divinorum ?Magic Guarri?
Small tree from South Africa used for dental care, epilepsy, and 
divinatory purposes. See catalog for more info.     4?6" seedling 1+ years 
old $12

Lycium minutiflora
Small Goji berry bush with succulent leaves densely arranged on the stems. 
Tubular white flowers cover the plant when in bloom. Small orange edible 
fruit. An unusual endemic from northern Chile. Wild collected seed. Should 
be tolerant of drought and hardy to below 28° F.    Seed packet $4

OTHER PLANTS OF INTEREST

Anadenanthera colubrina v. cebil La Paz ?Vilca? ?Curupau?
Fabaceae. Tree 10?30'+ tall. Feathery pinnate leaves. Some trees have 
raised ridges on the bark and others are smooth. Large flat seedpods to 
10? long, round shiny seed. Seed purchased from a street vendor in the 
Witche?s Market, La Paz, Bolivia. The dominant tree in much of the nearby 
Yungas dryland forests, and this is where the seed was originally 
collected. Once one of the most important psychoactive plants throughout 
the Andes, playing a central role in the spread of the Tiwanaku culture. 
In addition, the seeds are used as an external head wash for headache, and 
reportedly as an abortificent. The astringent bark is used for the lungs, 
diarrea, and wound healing. An infusion of the leaves is said to ?bring 
about a period of fervor in cows?...which we?ll leave to your imagination. 
Fast growing, drought tolerant, but can only take mild frost.  Seed packet 
$5

Araucaria aruacana ?Pewen? ?Monkey Puzzle Tree? 
Aruacariaceae. Bizarre ancient coniferous tree to 80'+ tall. Straight 
trunk, whorled branches with dense overlapping pointed leaves. Large spiny 
cones with up to 200 two inch edible seeds, similar to pine nuts. Has a 
life span of over 1300 years. Endemic to the slopes of the Andes in 
south-central Chile and adjacent Argentina. Endangered in habitat due to 
deforestation, slow regeneration, and interference with indigenous land 
management practices. The tree is now a national monument in Chile and 
protected. Sacred to the Mapuche, being integral to their beliefs and 
subsistence. They make all manner of foods from the seed and a special 
fermented beverage called muday. Easy to grow. Hardy below 0° F.    4?6"+ 
seedling 1+ years old  $8.50

Aristotelia chilensis ?Macqui?
Elaeocarpaceae. Shrub to 15'. Small white flowers, dark purple-black 
edible fruits with a taste similar to blueberries. Cleared forests and 
lower mountain hillsides of Chile. The fruit are used for brewing wine and 
chicha, the leaves for sore throats, wound healing, intestinal tumours, 
and as an analgesic. Easy to grow, prefers rich soil and humidity. A good 
food forest plant. Hardy to at least 25° F.      8?12" seedling 1+ years 
old $8.50

Asclepias sp. ?Mimbres, NM?
Asclepiadaceae. A handsome milkweed to 2' tall. Large lanceolate leaves. 
3?4" long pointed seed pods, flowers not seen. Collected on the hills 
around Mimbres Hotsprings, NM above 6,000'. Food for butterfly larvae. 
Seed may need cold treatment. Should be hardy to below 10° F.      Seed 
packet $2.50

Brugmansia sanguinea NL, Urmiri  ?Floripondio?
Solanaceae. Tall leafy shrub with large tubular flowers, 
red-orange-yellow. From a small bush at Urmiri Hot Springs, Bolivia. A 
widely used toxic medicinal/shamanic plant in Central and South America. 
Collected by ethnobotanist Neil Logan. Hardy to about 25° F.     Seed 
packet $3  /  8"+ seedling $6.50

Coriaria ruscifolia Chile ?Deu?  
Coriariaceae. Monotypic genus. Small shrub or bush, up to 6' tall. Arching 
or pendent branches lined with oval leaflets give the plant a unique 
fern-like appearance. Hanging clusters of small flowers transform into 
necklaces of dark purple fruits. Native to mid elevations western South 
America. The berries of closely related species (now considered synonomous 
by some) Coriaria thymifolia, are considered a magical fruit in Ecuador 
and are said to give one the feeling of flight when eaten. The whole plant 
inluding the berries are thought to be toxic. The roots host bacteria that 
fix nitrogen in the soil. A unique highly ornamental plant. Part sun, 
hardy to at least 25° F. We have a limited quantity of freshly harvested 
Chilean seed.   Seed packet $5 (limited)

Ficus sp. CC5692
Moraceae. A rare species of fig tree. Glossy simple leaves with slightly 
serrate margins. Seed collected by Chris Chadwell in Meghalaya, during the 
first botanical expedition to this remote region in over 50 years. One of 
42 species endemic to this unique region. These plants should be tolerant 
of some frost, but full hardiness is unknown.  6" plant 2 years old $6.50

Fritillaria biflora BK08426.2 ?Chocolate Lily?
Liliaceae. From small bulbs arise thick, polished, lanceolate basal leaves 
and a flowering stalk 4?8" tall bearing 2?6 nodding, bell-like flowers, 
dark chocolate-purple. Native to the coastal ranges of California. The 
bulbs may have been eaten like other Fritillaria species. Prefers a heavy 
soil, the plant goes dormant by Summer and should be kept dry. Plant seeds 
in Autumn/Winter to germinate in Spring or give 60 days cold. We collected 
seed of this exquisite species on the hills southeast of San Luis Obispo, 
California.                      Seed packet $3.50

Gaultheria forrestii
Ericaceae. Evergreen shrub 4?5' tall. 3" oval leaves and sprigs of white 
flowers. Black edible berries. Native to Yunnan Province China. Leaves and 
fruit have a wintergreen aroma. Part to full shade. Does well as a forest 
understory plant. Hardy to 10° F.      Seed packet $3

Gevuina avellana ?Guevin? ?Nefu? ?Chilean Macadamia?
Proteaceae. Ornamental rounded evergreen tree 20?30' tall. Glossy pinnate 
leaves up to 2' long. Panicles of creamy white flowers followed by 
clusters of red fruit containing a large edible nut. Native to central and 
southern Chile. The sweet, nutritous, macadamia-like nuts have been eaten 
by the Mapuche for thousands of years. A commercial nut crop in Chile and 
more recently New Zealand. The plant needs sun and regular moisture. Well 
drained, slightly acidic soil is called for. Resents too much phosphorus 
and benefits greatly from mycorrhizal inoculation. Hardy to 10° F. 6"+ 
seedling 1+ years old $9.50 or 2 for  $16

Latua pubiflora ?Latue? ?Palo de Bruja?
Solanaceae. Multi-branched shrub 6?20', occasionally larger. Gray-green 
lanceolate leaves 1-3? long. Violet bell-shaped 1.5" flowers hang from the 
branches and are followed by small yellow-green berries. Some clones have 
long thorns while others are nearly thornless. A monotypic genus endemic 
to limited regions of Chile. When our colleagues Rob Montgomery and 
Christian Ratsch first came upon this plant in Chiloe, they literally fell 
to their knees in awe! Revered by the Mapuche Indians, the plant is used 
to treat rheumatism and as a shamanic delirient hallucinogen, similar to 
Datura. Grow like Brugmansia sanguinea ? sun to part shade, well drained 
acidic rich soil and regular water. Hardy to at least 30° F. This stunning 
rarity is completely new to cultivation, a true horticultural gem. We have 
a small amount of freshly harvested seed.         Seed packet $7 (limited)

Mandragora officinarum ?Mandrake?
Solanaceae. 2 year old baby-drakes. Awake and screaming! See catalog for 
full description.    Seedling 2 years old $12

Pedicularis densiflora ?Betony? ?Indian Warrior?
Scrophurlariaceae. Deciduous herbaceous plant with feathery fern like 
leaves, dark green to purple in color. Flower heads to 1' high, densely 
packed with gorgeous bright red flowers. Considerd semi-parasitic on the 
roots of other plants, but can grow on its own as well. Native to 
California and southern Oregon. Tea made from the plant is a superb 
skeletal muscle relaxant. Shade to sun. Give seed 30+ days cold.    Seed 
packet $3

SALE ITEMS
The following are on sale while supplies last!

Avonia ustulata (=Anacampseros ustulata) ?Moerplantjie?
Portulacaceae. Similar to A. papyracea the the reportedly psychoactive A. 
rhodesica, but more unusual and desirable, developing a mass of miniature 
branching stems. Thought to be the Khoi peoples original source for yeast. 
Sun, no frost.        2"+ plant 3+ years old $6.50  Sale! $5 or 2 for $8 

Berberis wilsoniae ?Chinese Barberry?
Deciduous shrub to 3'. Small elliptical blue-green leaves are densely 
arranged on the arching spiny branches. Clusters of bright yellow flowers 
followed by edible sweet-tart scarlet berries. Native to western Yunnan 
and Sichuan, China. Roots are a strong antibacterial. Drought tolerant 
once established. Hardy to ?20° F.               8"+ seedling 2 years old 
$7.50  Sale! $6.50 or 2 for $12

Commiphora africana ?Gum Bdellium? ?Mothapo?
Burseraceae. Deciduous shrub to small tree with gray flaking bark, 
trifoliate leaves, and small red flowers. An African species, similar to 
Myrrh, the aromatic resin is used to treat fevers, cramps, snake bite, and 
as an insecticide. Edible roots. Diamphidia beetle larva live at tthe 
roots of the plant and are used by the San to prepare a powerful arrow 
poison. Grow like Bursera. Protect from frost.       6"?10"+ seedling $10 
Sale! $8 or 2 for $15

Commiphora glaucescens ?Emboo?
Deciduous tree to 25', Myrrh relative. Golden flaking bark, simple 
blue-green leaves, small pink flowers and red edible fruit. Native to 
Namibia. The wood is a preferred fire starter and used for making 
containers and utensils. Frost tender.       6"?10"+ seedling $10  Sale! 
$8
  
Commiphora mollis ?Mugumbati?
Tree to 25', Myrrh relative. Grey to dark green bark and deciduous velvety 
compound leaves. Small reddish flowers. A southern African species found 
in hot, dry areas. The roots are eaten by people, elephants and warthogs. 
Poles from the tree are used in ceremonies and the wood is carved for 
ornaments and utensils. Frost tender.     7"?11"+ seedling $10 Sale! $8 or 
2 for $15

Pachycereus pringlei ?Cardon? ?Sahueso?
Gigantic columnar cactus that forms huge candelabra like stands to 60' 
tall. Individual stems can grow as wide as 1 meter and have 10?16 
gray-green ribs covered in 1"+ stout white spines. Oddly, the upper growth 
of tall stems is often completely spineless. 3"?4" white nocturnal flowers 
that are pollinated by bats. Golf ball size spiny yellow fruits. A Mexican 
species that grows throughout Baja and from Sonora to Nayarit near the 
coast. Natives consider this cactus a sacred living spirit and utilize it 
for many purposes. Bright strong light and regular succulent culture is 
needed. Protect from frost when young. We have found plants over a foot 
tall to be cold hardy down to at least 28° F.        3"?4" diameter 12"+ 
tall plant $25*   Sale! $20*

Silene undulata (=Silene capensis)
Caryophyllaceae. A low growing perennial with succulent roots and unusual 
white tubular flowers. Native to South Africa. The downy leaves are smoked 
as a tobacco and the Xhosa have made use of the plant to induce 
?dreaming.? A nice addition to the rock garden or borders. Surface sow the 
seed. Easy to grow, drought tolerant. Cold hardy below 20° F. Plant $12 
Sale $10

Taxus Baccata  ?Sacred Yew?
Taxaceae. A slow growing evergreen tree to 50' + tall. Dark green needles 
and fleshy red berries. A European species, sacred to pagans and 
christians alike. In Wales there is a specimen that has a circumference of 
nearly 50 feet and estimated to be 4000 years old! A tree to plant for 
future generations. Easily trimmed as a hedge or bonsaid. Source of the 
anticancer drug, Taxol. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, 
except for the fruit which are quite tasty! The aromatic wood is burned as 
an incense and a tea made from the leaves is insecticidal. Sun to shade 
tolerant, prefers a moist well drained soil. Our plants are from Hungarian 
seed. Hardy to ?20° F.            8?12" + seedling 3?4 years old $12  Sale 
$10

Trichocereus andalgalensis X Trichocereus grandiflorus v. crassicaulis
A beauty that has the traits of both parents, round balls with golden 
yellow spines, we expect the flowers to be a shocking orange.  
2"?3"+ seedling 3 years old $6.50  Sale! $5 or 2 for $8 

Trichocereus crassiarboreus 
Supposedly a synonym for Weberbauerocereus cuzcoensis, but our seedlings 
look distinctly peruvianoid so far... 
 4?6"+ seedling 3 years old $7.50 Sale! $6.50 or 2 for $12

SHIPPING & HANDLING:
Seeds? First class mail USA $2.00; Air mail international $4.00
Plants (USA only)? First class priority mail= $6.00 for the first plant 
$1.50 each additional plant.
Seeds ride free when ordered with plants.
Add $1 per plant if you want them sent potted.

CA RESIDENTS ADD 7.25% SALES TAX
We still only take Cash (USD$ or Euros), Money Orders, or Checks.
You can write out your order and mail it with payment to our Po Box

SACRED SUCCULENTS
PO Box 781
Sebastopol, CA 95473 USA
Email: sacredsucculents at hushmail.com

http://www.sacredsucculents.com



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