[Sacred Succulents] Sacred Succulents news February 2009

[Sacred Succulents]

2/25/09  

Hello friends,

After the dryest Winter in record, we’re finally experiencing rain 
here in northern California. Through most of January we enjoyed 
warm days, but the lack of cloud cover meant a record number of 
frosty nights here as well. It never dropped below 25 F, but the 
high frequency of freezes has left its mark on many of our 
Trichocereus cacti. The upside of such stress we hope will be 
expressed as an increase in flowering Summer and Autumn. Right now 
the plants look a little ugly, but they’ve taken worse and will 
return to health once the weather warms, just in time for us to 
start shipping cuttings.

In future newsletters we’ll flesh out some of our thoughts on 
climatic change, the current trend in biological extinctions, and 
the power we each have to assist our vanishing floras, acting as 
conservationists through the simple and joyful role as gardeners 
and plant collectors. 

For now, consider growing a few rare or endangered beneficial 
plants including something that pushes the limits of your current 
climate zone.
In this respect, amongst our variety of new offerings this email we 
have seed of several rare Rhodiola species. This curious genus of 
caudex forming medicinal Sedum-like hardy succulents are found at 
high altitudes and near polar regions across the northern 
hemisphere, yet the area of greatest species diversity is the 
mountains of Asia. Many of these are untried in cultivation and may 
be difficult to grow, but their unusual beauty and beneficial 
properties makes them worth the effort. Many species may face 
imminent extinction due to climatic changes altering their alpine 
and near glacial environments. This makes the effort to adapt them 
to cultivation and distribute them to possible new habitats all the 
more timely. So far our efforts to grow them here in northern 
California have been mixed, some species expire after a season or 
two while others seem to be adapting well. We should have plants of 
a few species available for sale in the next year. For more info on 
growing Rhodiola, see our main catalog.

Other new items to look for coming out of our gardens and 
greenhousee in the next year include - 
More beneficial plants from the Andes.
Hardy Agave species for temperate climates.
Seedlings of new Ariocarpus and Turbinicarpus hybrids.
A perpetual selection of species and hybrid Trichocereus seeds and 
plants. 
An increasing diversity of Bursera (Copal, Palo Santo) and 
Commiphora (Myrrh) plants.
Plants for permaculture systems including unusual and obscure 
perennial edibles from around the world.
Rare edible and medicinal bulbs. We got the bulb buzz a few years 
ago and have seedlings coming along of many interesting plants such 
as:
Allium species; some of California’s beautiful and unique onion 
species along with rare gems from Eastern Europe and Asia. 
Important edible California bulbs including Cammassia, Calochortus, 
Brodiaea, Triteleia, Dichelostemma. Species Lillium including 
edible Asian species and endangered California natives. 
Fritillaria; we’ve had success with some of California’s beauties 
and a few medicinal Asian species. Selections from South Africa’s 
mega bulb diversity. And more!

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY - There is still a couple spaces available for 
the educational trip to the Peruvian Andes we are involved with 
this Spring. If you are at all interested in taking this unique 
opportunity to join us in our travels, take a look at the specifics 
and get back to us as soon as possible. 
See - http://www.botanicalpreservationcorps.com/andean_foray09.htm

Thanks to Josh & Mara, our website is slowly evolving, we may even 
have some photos posted soon.  http://www.sacredsucculents.com

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - a new issue will mail out in about 2 
weeks. 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 - 
Trichocereus chilensis hybrids, Mammillaria with collection data, 
some additonal rare Rhodiola seed, new seed in from Nepal, Chile, 
rare medicinals and edibles, and some of our remaining seed 
collections from Peru & Bolivia.

GIFT CERTIFICATES - are always available!

NEW ITEMS

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
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

Neoraimondia sp. NL “Cardon”
Chunky columnar cactus. Collected by N. Logan on the dry hills 
above Tucume, northern Peru. Reported additive to San Pedro brews.  
Seed packet $3

Trichocereus huanucoensis
Forms candelabra like stands up to 20' tall. 4"–8" diameter dark 
bluegreen stems with 5–7 thick ribs. Brown felty areoles that bear 
up to 7 small radial spines and 3 centrals up to 2" long. New 
growth on older stems is often completely spineless. White 
nocturnal flowers. Possibly a gorgeous variety of T. peruvianus. 
Native to Huanuco, central Peru. Cold hardy to at least 25° 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 inaequidens “Maguey Bruto”
Agavaceae. Single rosettes to 8'. Yellow-green leaves with undulate 
margins bearing showy black teeth. Native to pine and oak forested 
slopes of the mountains of central western Mexico, occuring between 
6,000–8,000'. Adaptable to temperate climates and hardy to at least 
25° F.   2" plant $6.50

Agave montana “Mountain Agave”
Seedlings of this beautiful super hardy species from the 
northeastern sierra of Mexico. See catalog for more info.   2" 
plant $6.50

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

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. Knick seed and keep warm to sprout. 
 5 seed $5 (limited)

Boswellia serrata “Indian Frankincense” “Salai”
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. Germination is tricky, try nicking seed and keep 
warm. No frost.   	 5 seed $5 (limited)

Coccinia sessilifolia “Borobohlolo”
Cucurbitaceae. Large perennial caudex root with a sturdy  vine and 
red fleshy fruits. Native to southern Africa. The Kalahari bushmen 
esteemed the plant as food, roasting the huge root and eating the 
ripe fruits. Grow like other caudiciform succulents. Protect from 
frost.     Seed Packet $3

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 (limited)

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  (limited)

Commiphora schimperi “Seroka” “Osilalei”  “Myrrh”
Deciduous bush to small tree. Green bark that peels in yellow 
flakes. Densely 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  (limited)

Dudleya pulverulenta
Crassulaceae. Gorgeous powdery white rosettes to 30", red flowers. 
One of the largest and showiest species. Seedlings from our seed 
collections from the northern most populations. See catalog for 
more info.  	 1.5–2" seedling $6.50

Ephedra monosperma Sajan, Siberia
Ephedraceae. Small mat-forming species to about 6"+. Relatively 
large red edible fruit. From seed collected by Pavelka at 6,500' in 
the Sajan Mountains of Siberia. An ephedrine containing species, 
distributed throughout Asia and considered to be closely related to 
E. minima. Russian populations are said to be endangered. Extremely 
hardy and easy to grow.     Plant $8.50

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

Sedum niveum
Crassulaceae. Miniature clumps of succulent leaves and large white 
flowers splashed red. Rarely exceeds 2" tall and 6" wide. This 
alpine species is found between 7–10,000' in the mountains of San 
Bernadino and Riverside County, CA and Baja. This diminutive gem is 
scarce in cultivation. Hardy below 0° F.   1.5"+ plant $6.50

Rhodiola cf. algida
Crassulaceae. Small rhizomatic species to about 3" tall. 
Cylindrical leaves, yellow flowers. Holubec found this growing at 
above 14,000' amongst gneiss scree, Shika Shan, Yunnan, China. Very 
rare and most likely medicinal.	  Seed packet $4

Rhodiola coccinea “Yuan Cong Hong Jing Tian”
Fat caudex with stems to 5", cylindrical leaves, yellow to reddish 
flowers. Collected by Vojtech Holubec amongst granite scree near 
16,000', Bayan Har Shan, Qinghai, China. Used in Tibetan folk 
medicine. Another dimunitive species good for container growing.    
 Seed packet $4

Rhodiola fastigiata “Chang Bian Hong Jing Tian”
Large rhizomatic caudex with numerous stems to 12" tall.  Densely 
arranged small leaves and yellow to red flowers. A Holubec 
collection from near 15,000', Beim Shan, Yunnan, China. Another 
species utilized in Chinese and Tibetan Medicine found to contain a 
new flavonoid and is rich in the essential oil geraniol. Reported 
to be adaptable to cultivation.  Seed packet $4

Rhodiola heterodonta
Stout branched caudex. Bluish leaves on stems to 10". Yellow-orange 
flowers. Holubec collection at 12,000', Yazgulem Range, Pamir, 
Tajikistan. Said to be one of the easier species to grow. Known in 
Chinese medicine as “Yi Chi Hong Jing Tian”. Contains a novel 
phenylethanoid glycoside.    Seed packet $4

Rhodiola linearifolia
Caudex with branches to 10" tall. Narrow lanceolate leaves and 
yellow flowers. Seed collected by Holubec in Yulong Shan, Yunnan, 
China at 13.000'. Very closely related to the highly regarded 
medicinal R. kirilowii. Should do well in captivity.    Seed packet 
$4

Rhodiola sp CC5982
A yet to be identitfied species collected near 15,000' by Til Jung 
Rai for Chris Chadwell during a recent expedition to Tibet.  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

Angelica ursina “Bear’s Angelica”
Apiaceae. Giant herbaceous perennial to 12' tall, umbels of white 
flowers. Endemic to Sakhalin and Kamchatka, eastern Russia. Wild 
seed. Young shoots are edible. Bears eat the roots. Surface sow and 
give 30–60+ days cold. Dies back to roots in Winter. Will take any 
cold you can give it.     Seed packet $3.50 (limited)

Argemone glauca “Puakala” “Hawaiian Prickly Poppy”
Papaveraceae. Perennial to 3–5' with glaucus blue foliage covered 
in sharp spines. Large white flowers with yellow centers. Found 
growing on the dry leeward sides of the Hawaiian Islands. Claimed 
to be endemic, but we find this questionable. The sap of the opium 
relative has been traditonally used as a narcotic and to treat 
toothache, ulcers, and warts. Easy to grow, likes sun.     Seed 
packet $3

Artemisia californica“California Sagebrush” “Hulvel”
Asteraceae. Aromatic shrub to 6'. Fine silver green foliage, small 
yellow flowers. One of the signature plants and scents of 
California. Dried foliage is burned as incense and smudge. Like all 
wormwoods, the plant is strongly antimicrobial and antiparastical. 
Surface sow seed. Hardy to at least 15° F.  Seed packet $3

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. 
Seed collected by ethnobotanist Neil Logan. Hardy to below 25° F.   
 8"+ seedling $6.50

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 $6.50

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

Nicotiana glauca “Tree Tobacco” 
Solanaceae. Perennial shrub or small tree to 20'. Large, leathery, 
glaucus blue leaves. Clusters of tubular yellow flowers attract 
humingbirds. Said to be native to the southern Andes, but is now 
naturalized all the way into central California. Considered 
erroneously to be invasive, but it only grows on disturbed ground, 
hence its abundance along roadsides and construction areas. Does 
not contain nicotine, but the psychoactive analog anabasine. Widely 
used as a sacred tobacco, makes an interesting smoke. Hardy to 
about 20° F.      Seed packet $3

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)

Pedicularis densiflora “Betony” “Indian Warrior”
Scrophulariaceae. 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. Considered 
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

Ugni molinae “Chilean Guava”
Myrtaceae. Ornamental evergreen shrub to 6'. Small white pink 
flowers and 1/2" rose purple berries. The fruit has a particularly 
delicious flavor, being aromatic and sweet. Commercially cutlivated 
in its native Chile. A fantastic plant for your garden! See catalog 
for more info. Happy seedlings.     4–6" seedlings 1+ years old 
$6.50

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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