[Sacred Succulents] Travelogue and Andean seed

[benkamm at monitor.net]

(do not ?reply? to this email, send all correspondence to - 
sacredsucculents at hushmail.com )

8/2/10
Greetings to all,

We list here for the first time our seed offerings of this year's Andean 
accessions. All of these are avialable in very limited quantities, many 
may never be restocked again, so this is a once in a lifetime chance to 
help propagate and preserve these amazing plants. Additional seeds will be 
available through Rare Plant List #30, which is in the works.
After some delay, copies of our ethnobotanical notes and complete 
descriptive list of our seed collections from the expedition along with a 
CD of over 400 incredible photos of the places and plants is now available 
for $10 (postage paid US, add $2 foreign)

What follows is a further report on our recent Andean expedition. We will 
continue this travelogue over the next week.
If you missed the first and 2nd installment you can read them at- 
http://lists.sonic.net/pipermail/sacredsucculents/2010-June.txt
& http://lists.sonic.net/pipermail/sacredsucculents/2010-July.txt

Bolivian Travelogue part 3 - 
        In the morning we explored the dry mid-elevation valleys (around 
7,000') on the way from Aquile to Mizque. Prosopis (algorroba, Andean 
mesquite) was the dominant tree in the valleys, and after some searching 
we found trees that did indeed resemble P. pallida of the coast with 
upright habit and long sweet chewy pods.
About these trees, our colleague Neil Logan had this to say-

?The organism we observed near Aquile, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia is a 
candidate for proto-species for the Prosopis pallida / P. limensis 
cultigen found along the coast of Peru. The tree has an erect form with 
edible pods nearly identical to the Peruvian coastal Prosopis complex. P. 
affinis, P. alba and P. pallida are all reported to be native to 
Southcentral/Western Bolivia and the origins of American Prosopis is 
believed to be in the Northwestern Argentina, Southern Bolivia, Northern 
Paraguay region and would have speciated from there. Likely (based on 
observation not genetics) what we know as the Prosopis pallida / P. 
limensis of Coastal Peru and introduced to places like Hawaii (1828), 
Brazil (1942), Senegal, Haiti and elsewhere, originated from hybrids of 
the above species selected by humans for their erect form, lack of thorns, 
and sweet abundant pods. This hypothesis is in opposition to the belief 
that this species complex had instead originated from selections derived 
from Ecuadorian/Northern Peruvian origin. This would also suggest that 
ocean migrations of people to South America would have landed them further 
south near coastal Northern Chile where they migrated inland to the 
highlands and across into the jungles. These people would eventually form 
city centers like those around Lake Titikaka and radiated out from there 
carrying plant selections with them. However, this process would have 
begun long before civilizations had solidly coalesced. When I first set 
out to study Prosopis in Bolivia I believed that P. pallida in Central 
Bolivia would represent a disjunct population brought to the Cochabamba 
region by the same Quechua migration that may have been responsible for 
bringing Trichocereus pachanoi to the same region from Northern Peru. The 
Quechua name for Prosopis in Coastal Peru is Gurango or Huarango. The more 
southerly Prosopis are referred to as Tako or Tacho or Tacu, words of 
probable Aymara origin translating roughly as ?the tree? or ?the one?, 
pointing to their prominence in culture and landscape. Since this language 
and the Inkan culture itself for that matter, appear to originate in the 
Bolivia region, this also helps to point to Bolivia/ Northern Argentina as 
the source of original human selection of superior Prosopis genetics in 
the Americas. Prosopis affinis would contribute an erect form with short 
spines, jugate to bi-jugate bi-pinnate leaf pattern and the flower raceme 
up to twice as long as the leaf rachis, while P. alba would contribute the 
large, golden, sweet and productive pods. As these combined organisms 
encountered lower elevations and higher temperatures they would produce 
more leaf divisions per leaf and more leaves per node. When those 
conditions became more humid and or coastal, the trees would naturally 
adapt larger leaves to accommodate greater transpiration rates (in high 
humidity) for faster growth, or many smaller leaves per node with cilia 
that increases surface area to capture air humidity in an otherwise arid 
environment. 
        And then again all of this could be complete B.S., that is bear 
scat, because this year we also found out about the connection between the 
rare spectacled dry forest bear, Tremarctos ornatus, and early Prosopis 
dispersal. These bears are know voracious foragers who love sweet fruit 
and tend to pass more seeds then they digest. The bears alone may have 
done most of the selection work moving Prosopis around along migrations 
routes that could have taken them easily as far north as Venezuela and as 
far south as Southcentral Argentina. The bears would have naturally 
selected for sweet pods and less thorns for obvious reasons. Observant 
humans likely came along and exploited both the bear and its hard work of 
selecting the premier Prosopis genetics over millennia.
        Beyond that and a comprehensive genetics study, anyone?s guess is 
as good as mine. One thing is for sure: Prosopis has a long standing 
relationship with humans in the Americas. The genus may hold much promise 
for the future of humanity as well.?

        During the drive to Mizque we continued to look for T. 
riomizquensis, but no Trichocereus was seen. We stopped to search some 
suitable habitats for the endemic Echeveria bakeri which was collected on 
this route by a Huntington Botanical Garden expedition in the mid 1980s. 
This plant remained elusive as well. Once we crossed the Mizque River 
again and came to the bustling town of Mizque our hopes were still high 
for finding the Trichocereus, yet not a single plant was observed. Our 
inquiries for Coca Colla were hopeless. From here, our plan was to take 
the high mountain route to Arani through cloud forest and Puya raimondii 
groves, then from there head south, looking for additional cacti and 
endemic bulb seed, staying at Torotoro National Park which boasts hundreds 
of dinosaur tracks, fossils, and kilometers of caves. However, 45 minutes 
out from Mizque the road was closed until evening for repairs. At this 
long delay we changed plans and thought we?d try the road from Mizque to 
Totora, which our map showed as a major route. This was not so. It took us 
a good deal of time to actually find the nondescript gravel turnoff, then 
barely make it over 2 crossings of the Rio Mizque before learning from 
another driver that it was 4?5 hours more of questionable dirt road to 
Totora. We did find a few robust Vilca trees (Anadenanthera colubrina, 
source of a hallucinogenic snuff that had a huge influence on earlier 
Andean cultures) growing along the river and the pachycaul shrub, Jatropha 
papyrifera with shockingly gorgeous golden peeling bark. At this point the 
sun was beginning its descent, so we chose to head back by the much safer 
Arani route, though it was pitch dark by the time we passed through cloud 
forest or Puya habitat and made the steep descent to the town of Arani in 
the Cochabamba basin.
... to be continued

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - Issue 30 is in the works and should be ready in 
the next 2 weeks. Another very large and diverse issue, don?t miss it! 
There?ll be new Trichocereus specimens and rarities, first chance at a 
plethora of new seed from our recent Andean expedition to Peru and 
Bolivia, new seed from South Africa, Chile, and the Himalayas! 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. 

GIFT CERTIFICATES - are always available!

NEW OFFERINGS 

ANDEAN ETHNOBOTANICAL SEED COLLECTIONS, PERU & BOLIVIA, 2010
>From mid April to mid May 2010 we explored the mountains of southern Peru 
and central Bolivia, collecting seed and studying the ethnobotany of the 
regions. Only responsible conservation minded collections of seed was 
made. Preservation through distribution and propagation. Most of this seed 
went to those who subscribed to the seed shares prior to the expedition, 
but we have a limited quantity of interesting species still available. 
Once in a lifetime offerings, when these are sold out many may never be 
available again. Additional seeds from our expedition are listed in Rare 
Plant List 30. Purchase of this seed will help support future expeditions 
and the continual study of the amazing diversity of Andean plant life, 
ethnobotanical knowledge, and Trichocereusdistribution.
-  SEED -
We have general recommendations for germination and cultivation. Many of 
these plants are new to cultivation, and their needs may prove contrary to 
our suggestions. Some seed can be very slow to germinate, so hold onto the 
seed pots for up to 3 years. Please keep track of the collection data and 
your germination results and let us know! This way you can help contribute 
to the long term study of the remarkable plants of these regions.

Alnus acuminata BK10508.6  ?Aliso? Lambran? ?Andean Alder?
Betulaceae. Young trees to 15'+. Growing with small Polylepis tomentella 
ssp. incanoides. Just past Koari, before Pocona on the way to Totora, 
Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, near 10,000'. In other parts of the Andes we 
have seen this species grow to majestic proportions, up to 60' tall. 
Highly versatile tree, fixes nitrogen in the soil, wood used for 
construction and leaves as a fertilizer. The leaves and flowers are made 
into tea that is considered a good overall tonic, useful for arthritis, 
colic,  and externally for wound healing. Leaves and bark produce a yellow 
and beige dye. This tree was once widespread along watersheds throughout 
the Andes up to 13,000'. Another keystone species that was highly regarded 
by the Inca who encouraged its planting throughout their empire. A vital 
species for reforestation work and an excellent choice for permaculture 
and agroforestry systems. Z8a?9a          Seed packet $4

Begonia baumanii BK10509.8 ?Killu killu? ?Graniso t?ika?
Medium size tuber with round crinkled leaves to 6" diameter. Large rose 
colored flowers on 2' stalk. Growing on rock outcrops above ruins of 
Inkallajta, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia. This lovely endemic is reported to 
be used in rain rituals. The tubers are chopped and used to curdle milk 
for making cheese, said to impart an interesting flavor. Z8?9?      Seed 
packet $4.50

Blechnum? BK10512.10 
Blechnaceae. Unusual and distinct fern with a rosette of thick compound 
leaves to about 12" tall, like a miniature cycad. Polylepis lanata forest 
understory and edges. Above Rio Lope Mendoza, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia. 
We are not at all sure of the I.D. of this plant, as our fern knowledge is 
very spotty, but many years ago we saw Blechnum form small tree ferns at 
high altitudes in southern Peru. Z8?                                 Spore 
packet $4

Cheilanthes bonariensis BK10426.3
Pteridaceae. Attractive xerophytic fern with erect grey fuzzy leaves to 
6". Growing on rocks, descent from Pumamarca, Cusco Dept., Peru, 10,800'. 
May be chewed like coca leaf, other Cheilanthes and Polypodium ferns have 
been reported as coca substitutes. Z8?9?                        Spore 
packet $4

Cleistocactus buchtienii BK10506.1 ?Kitisira?
Cactaceae. Slender cylindrical stems to 6'. Orangish to whitish spines, 
fine and needlelike. Pale red tubular flowers. Small edible fruit. Base of 
Cerro San Pedro, Cochabamba, Bolivia, near 8,500'. On our last day in the 
region we were told by friends that stems of this cactus are the preferred 
source for make ?llujta? a regional kind of llipta for chewing with coca 
leaves. Naturally dead and dried stems are collected, ones with white 
rather than orangish spines are said to be superior. These are then burned 
and the resulting ash mixed with a little cooked potato starch and formed 
into cylinders to dry. A small amount of this is chewed with coca leaves 
to facilitate and add to their beneficial stimulating properties. Z9b?     
Seed packet $5

Cypella herrerae? BK10430.1 ?Michi-michi?
Iridaceae. Grass-like leaves to 18". Large iridescent blue flowers with 
yellow splotches, a true jewel of a blossom. Near the Wari ruins of 
Pikillacta south of Cusco City, Peru, 10,700'. The bulb of some species is 
edible and used medicinally for cough and inflammation. Z8?9 Seed packet 
$4

Dioscorea sp. BK10509.2 
Vine to 10'+, large heart shaped leaves. Likely one of the 
?tortoise-shell? caudex forming species. Growing on Alnus next to the 
river, near the ruins of Inkallajta, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, near 
10,000'. Many Dioscorea seed have delayed germination, up to 6+ months. 
Z8b?9b?         10 seed $4

Echinopsis bridgesii BK10504.4
Cactaceae. Clustering cylindrical cactus 8?12" high. Spines to 1" long. 
Large white funnelform flowers, small edible fruit. Growing with 
Trichocereus bridgesii, Prosopis, etc. Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia. Cut 
pieces of stem are sometimes used in ?misa? offerings in the region. 
Z8b?9a  Seed packet $4

Elaphoglossum engelii? BK10428.4 
Dryopteridaceae. A fern with clusters of upright linear leaves to 5?8", 
larger at lower altitudes. Front side of the leaves is grey-green and the 
back side is black with the spore mass making an attractive contrast. Just 
above Huacahuasi, Cusco Dept., Peru, 12,700'. Growing with Brachyotum 
shrubs and a small Vaccinium sp. We are not sure on the identification, 
could be a different species or even a Polypodium. Z7?8?    Spore packet 
$4

Eryngium sp. BK10509.14 
Apiaceae. Puya-like rosette of serrated curled dark-green leaves to 2' 
across. Flower stalk to 5' with dark green/purple/brown flower heads. 
Scrub below ruins, Inkallajta, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia. Flower heads and 
leaves of Eryngium are made into a tea for cough, flu and fever. Some 
germination after 3 weeks warm, may do better with cold stratification. 
Z8a?b?              Seed packet $4

Escallonia resinosa BK10509.4 ?Chachacomo?
Saxifragaceae or Escalloniaceae. Tree to 20'+, forms a thickened gnarled 
trunk with age. Smaller leaves than E. resinosa we?ve seen in Peru. Spires 
of sweetly scented white flowers adorn the branch ends. Growing along the 
ravine that splits the ruins of Inkallajata, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 
10,000'. A decoction of the plant is used as a cerebral tonic and 
carminative. A cataplasm of the wood is used to alleviate arthritis and 
rheumatism. The hardwood is used in construction and in Cusco the young 
shoots are woven into baskets for storing potatoes. The leaves produce a 
reddish to purple dye. In southern Peru this tree is the host plant for 
the butterfly Metardaris cosinga whose chrysalis (known as ?huaytampu? ) 
is considered a delectable food. Chachacomo is another keystone species of 
the mostly extinct high Andean forests, occurs up to 13,000'+. This 
wonderful tree should be widely planted. Surface sow the small seed and 
keep warm to germinate in 2?4 weeks. Z7?8?                        Seed 
packet $5

Grindelia boliviana BK10423.1 ?Ch?iri ch?iri?
Asteraceae. Small herb to about 12", resinous aromatic leaves and yellow 
daisy flowers. Similar to our native Californian species. Growing with 
arid scrub, descent to the town of Pisac, Cusco Dept., Peru, 10,300'. This 
modest plant is an extremely important medicinal in the southern Andes, 
used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory for sore muscles and 
rheumatism, wound healing and fractures, various infections, and kidney 
pains. Z8?9?
          Seed packet $4
Harrisia tetracantha (=Roseocereus tephracanthus) BK10508.3 ?Ulala? 
?Pasakana?
Cactaceae. Candelabra cactus with cylindrical stems to 10'+, white spines. 
White to pinkish funnelform flowers and green to reddish fruit with sweet 
white flesh, 2?3" diameter, widely eaten in the region. Prosopis forest, 
Tiatako, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 7,500'. A plant that has done a lot of 
name hopping, it has been classified as Eriocereus and even Trichocereus. 
This was by far the most common cactus species we encountered throughout 
the mid elevations of Cochabamba Dept., near Aquile and Mizque we saw huge 
stands to 20'+ tall made up of hundreds of stems. The juice of the stems 
of the closely related H. tortuosus is reported to produce lethargy when 
drunk and is used to treat epilepsy and other nervous system problems. Z9b
 Seed packet $4
Hesperomeles ferruginea BK10512.6 ?T?uko?
Trees 30?40'+. Grey fissured oak-like bark. 2?3" oval leaves, dark-green 
rough surface with reddish-brown tomentose undersides. White flowers and 
1/2" black edible fruit (pomes) in clusters, similar to hawthorn fruit. 
This is the first time we?ve encountered this impeccably handsome species 
as a true tree, forming dense forest with scattered trees of Berberis, 
Prumnopitys, Vallea, undergrowth of ferns, Ribes, Rubus, bordered by 
Gunnera, Gaultheria, and Pernettya. Above Rio Lope Mendoza, circa El 
Puente, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, about 11,000'. The hard wood is valued 
as timber and firewood which explains the scarcity of intact forest or 
even trees over 12' throughout the Andes. An essential candidate for 
reforestation and agroforestry systems up to 13,000'. Would also make an 
exquisite landscape specimen. Seed has been slow to sprout, 10% 
germination after 2 months warm, may need 30?60 days cold treatment. Z7?8 
or lower.                5 seed $4

Oenothera sp.BK10511.4 
Onagraceae. Erect plant to 12" tall with slender dark green leaves blushed 
purple. Deep orange primrose flowers. One of the nicest primrose flowers 
we?ve seen. Rocky area amongst Puya raimondii, near Rodeo, Cochabamba 
Dept., Bolivia, 13,300'. Leaves of Oenothera species are used for wound 
healing in the Andes. Z6?7?                                    Seed packet 
$4

Pecluma? BK10426.1
Polypodiaceae. Long green graceful leaves to 18"+ with slender leaflets. 
Growing on rocks near the ruins of Pumamarca with Peperomia peruviana, 
Peperomia sp., Cheilanthes pruinata, and Escallonia resinosa, Cusco Dept., 
Peru, about 12,000'. We are not at all sure of the I.D. of this plant, as 
our fern knowledge is very spotty, it could be a Polypodium or possibly 
Asplenium. Z8?9?              Spore packet $4

Peperomia galioides BK10424.1 ?Congona?
Large clusters of upright green succulent stems 6?12" tall. Whorls of 
succulent leaves, yellow flower spikes. Growing on steep rocky slopes with 
decumbent Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Tillandsia spp., Sedum sp., Cheilanthes
, behind the orphanage Casa de Milagros, Lamay, Cusco Dept., Peru, 9,600'. 
Said to be the most important medicinal Peperomia by Pino, used for 
?everything?. Reported to be a very effective painkiller and calming 
sedative. Has a delicious balsam with a hint of lemon aroma when crushed. 
Peperomia can take 4?8 + weeks to germinate, sprout like cacti, seed 
stored for 1 year has higher germination, some do best at cool 
temperatures. Z9a?b                                       Seed packet 
$4.50

Pernettya prostrata BK10511.3 
Miniature form of this widespread species, to only 2" tall, creeping to 
10?12" across. White bell flowers and small black fruits, fairly sweet 
tasting. Growing next to spring fed acequia just below Puya raimondii 
populations, near Rodeo, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 13,100'. Z6?7?    Seed 
packet $4

Pernettya sp. BK10511.11 
Small shrub to 3'. White bell flowers and purple berries. Slender glossy 
leaves, new growth deep red. Growing under Polylepis lanata trees, near 
Kewina Casa, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 11,500'. Similar to what we 
collected near Lares, Peru in 2008. Taxonomically it probably falls into 
the diverse P. prostrata complex. The berries were sweet and agreeable, 
though some Pernettya are reported to cause intoxication or even delirium 
if eaten in excess. Seed sprouts in 4?6 weeks warm. Z7?8?        Seed 
packet $4

Polylepis tomentella ssp. incanoides BK10509.20 ?Kewina?
Upright multi-branching trees 15?30'+. Contorted trunks with dark-red 
peeling bark, deep green leaves, dangling clusters of yellow-green 
flowers. This beautiful subspecies is endemic to central and southern 
Bolivia, it seems to favor a slightly warmer/dryer climate than other 
species. Growing with Berberis sp., Baccharis sp., bunchgrasses and the 
occasional Trichocereus totorensis and Cleistocactus sp. Restricted to 
arroyos primarily due to agricultural activity and overgrazing. Though 
there were a good number of large individuals and the bird diversity was 
quite high, these forests felt in transition and had the heavy mark of man 
and his beasts. Between Monte Puncu and Totora, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 
9,500'. An Andean genus of 26 species in the rose family, Polylepis 
forests once covered over 20% of the Andes up to 17,000'+ in elevation. 
These forest were slowly cleared over millennia and massacred over the 
last 500 years and reduced to almost nothing. Polylepis are amongst the 
most enchanting trees we have ever encountered, with their contorted 
trunks and peeling bark, not to mention their rebellious nature; this is a 
tree that actually dares to grow above the treeline. Extremely hard wood 
excellent for construction and firewood, used medicinally for lung issues, 
bark chewed for oral health. Beige, pale pink and green dyes are obtained 
from the tree. Polylepis were considered sacred during Incan times and 
were associated with the ancestors, forests were venerated and protected. 
Propagation and reforestation is essential for sustainable development in 
the Andes. Polylepis forests are known to harbor the highest diversity of 
plants, birds and other fauna of any ecosystem in the high Andes.Z7?8?     
             5 seed $4

Puya herzogii BK10511.5 
Clusters of 2?3' rosettes of grey serrated leaves. Large club like 
inflorescence to 6?8' tall, flowering bracts covered in a white and grey 
fuzz, yellow-green flowers with bright orange pollen. The impressive 
flower stalks makes this one of our favorite species. Growing amongst Puya 
raimondii, near Rodeo, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 13,300'. Seed slow to 
germinate, may need special treatment. Z7?8?             Seed packet $4

Puya mirabilis BK10506.2
Single rosette of very slender white leaves to 12"+ diameter. Flower stalk 
to 3'. Should have yellow-green iridescent flowers to beguile 
hummingbirds. Base of Cerro San Pedro, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Tadeo Haenke 
wrote in 1795 that an unidentified Puya was used to treat syphillis. 
Z9a?b? 
Seed packet $4
Puya sp. BK10504.2
Bromeliaceae. Rosettes to 18" across with serrated silver leaves with a 
red blush. Forms clusters of 3?4 heads, 12" prostrate stems that look like 
they?ve survived repeated fires. 4' inflorescence with densely packed seed 
pods. Flowers unseen. Growing with Trichocereus bridgesii, Prosopis sp., 
Corryocactus, Echinopsis, etc, Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia. Puya species 
are used for external wound healing and magical purposes throughout the 
Andes. Around Cusco the flowers stalks are burned to make ?llipta? for 
coca chewing. Z8?9          Seed packet $4

Siphocampylus sp. BK10509.11 ?K?au sillu?
Campanulaceae. Herbaceous plant to 2?3'. Extremely showy heads of orange 
and yellow tubular flowers, undoubtedly to draw hummingbirds. Rocky areas 
above ruins of Inkallajta, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 10,000'. In parts of 
Bolivia and southern Peru the latex of S. tupaeformis is reported to be 
chewed like gum. In northern Peru it is considered a companion to the San 
Pedro cactus and is planted around homes for protection and acting as a 
?gaurdian?. Surface sow seed. Z8a?9a?      Seed packet $4

Solanum sp. BK10510.2 
Solanaceae. 12" prickly stems. 1?2" leathery tomato like fruits, yellow 
with green mottling, questionably edible/medicinal. Growing at edge of 
agricultural fields, 10km from Aquile towards Mizque, Cochabamba Dept., 
Bolivia, 7,200'. Z9b                                    Seed packet $4

Tagetes sp. BK10510.1 ?Suico? ?Wakatay?
Asteraceae. Annual to 2'. Aromatic leaves, orang-yellow flowers.  Growing 
with the previous collection. Tagetes are used as a condiment and 
flavoring in a diversity of Andean dishes. Medicnally they are digestive 
aids. Encouraged to grow near fields because they repel soil nematodes. 
Z9b 
Seed packet $4
Trichocereus riomizquensis BK10508.7 ?Achuma?
Upright stand to 8' tall. 2?5" diameter stems with green to blue-green to 
yellow-green epidermis. 4?7 radial spines with 1?3 central spines to 3" 
long. Looks to be a distinct spiny form of T. bridgesii. Planted around 
the town of Totora, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia, 9,000'. Growing with 
Buddleja, Carica, and Asteraceae. Local women call it ?achuma? and use it 
externally to treat fever. No one knew where it grew wild. We searched 
where Ritter first described the plant at Chujllas, and along the Rio 
Mizque, adjacent valleys and slopes, but never found a single wild plant. 
Z9a?b           Seed packet $5

Urtica flabellata BK10428.3 ?K?isa? ?Ortiga?
Urticaceae. Small species to 6" that forms tight clumps of dense, spiny, 
rounded leaves, like a henbit. Distinct from the other small species that 
grows in the region. Makes a good tea or addition to soups. Nutritive 
medicinal like other species. Growing near a small lake on the descent 
from Ipsay Pass, Cusco Dept., Peru, 13,500'. Z5?6?       Seed packet $4

Vaccinium floribundum BK10428.6 ?Andean huckleberry?
Ericaceae. Beautiful shrub to 2' with glaucus-blue leaves, new growth is a 
erotic reddish-purple. Dense clusters of white bell flowers precede the 
clusters of delicious blueberries. Forms small thickets in rocky areas 
above Rio Trapiche, between Huacahuasi and Lares, Cusco Dept., Peru, 
12,000'. Cultivated in some parts of the Andes for its esteemed berries, 
has great potential for edible landscapes worldwide. Cold stratify seed. 
Z8.          Seed packet $4.50

Andean Collections and Photos 2010- CD/DVD with 400+ photos from our 
Spring travels in Cusco, Peru including photos of the seldom visited lush 
Lares Valley, and Cochabamba, Bolivia where we examined the dryland cactus 
filled forests of the valleys, the endangered Polylepis forests of the 
higher mountains and the remote Incan archaeological site Inkallajta. 
Comes with a complete list of our seed collections with ethnobotanical 
notes and cultivation suggestions. Now available!!  $10 postage paid, 
foreign orders add $2

Fresh Seed Harvest!!
Fockea edulis ?Bergkambroo?
Asclepiadaceae. Develops a large warty caudex/tuber up to a foot in 
diameter and several feet long. A mass of twining stems arise from the top 
of the caudex. Small unusual star like flowers. This odd plant has a long 
history as an important food and water source for the tribal people of 
South Africa and has without a doubt contributed over the ages to human 
survival in the Kalahari desert. The caudex is eaten fresh, baked like 
sweet potato and made into a chunky jam. The plant is quite easily grown 
and a favorite among caudiciphiles. Sow seeds just under the surface of a 
regular succulent soil mix. As the caudex grows, more of it can be exposed 
every couple years when repotted. When growing this plant for food, 
transplanting to 5 or 10 gallon pots after the first year and harvesting 
the root in the 2nd or 3rd year is suggested. Tolerant of mild frost if 
well mulched.          15+ seed $2.50

Sale Summer 2010
The following are on sale until the end of August or while supplies last!

Seed Sale!
All Chilean seed and California Native seed 20% off!
All seed from our 2008 & 09 Ethnobotanical Collections 20% off - this is 
the last chance to get seed of many of our collections from Peru and 
Bolivia, some of which will never be retocked again!

PLANTS
Cactaceae
Ariocarpus trigonus Green claw-like tubercles, yellow flowers. 2"+ plant 
8+ years old $14/  Sale Price $11
Ariocarpus retusus v. furfuraceus  Blue rounded tubercles, white flowers. 
2"+ plant 8+ years old $14/ Sale Price $11
Pachycereus pringlei The sacred Cardon cactus. 3?4" diameter 12"+ tall 
plant $25*/  Sale Price $20* or 2 for $36* (*heavy shipping applies)
Trichocereus sp. Luther Burbank Heirloom peruvianoid from the celebrated 
plant mystic. 6"+ long cutting $15/ Sale Price $12
Trichocereus sp. Torres & Torres Upright pachanoi-like plant from norhtern 
Chile. 6"+ cutting $14/ Sale Price $10 or 2 for $18
Trichocereus andalgalensis X Trichocereus grandiflorus v. crassicaulis 
Beautiful hybrid. 3"+ plant $6.50/ Sale Price $5.50

Other Succulents and Xerophytes
Agave cordillerensis NL52409 Andean species from seed collected in 
Bolivia. 2?3" Plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6 or 2 for $10
Agave gentryi La Escondida A rosette of sculptural wonder. 2?3" plant 
$6.50/ Sale Price $5.50
Agave montana Beauty from the mountains of Mexico. 2?3" plant $6.50/ Sale 
Price $5.50 or 2 for $9
Boophane  disticha Poisonous entheogenic bulb from southern Africa. Plant 
$6.50/ Sale Price $5.50
Commiphora africana Gum bdellium trees. 8?12"+ seedling $9.50/ Sale Price 
$7.50
Commiphora mollis Another aromatic myrrh relative. 8?12"+ seedling $9.50/ 
Sale Price $7.50
Dioscorea sylvatica Lobed caudex, heart shaped leaves. Plant with 1.5?2"+ 
caudex $10/ Sale Price $7.50
Ephedra equisetina Mu Zei Ma Huang. Plant $7.50 or 2 for $12.75/ Sale 
Price $6 or 2 for $10
Ephedra nevadensis Desert joint fir. Plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6
Ephedra viridis Mormon tea. Plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6
Puya berteroniana Pineapple relative with huge showy flowers stalks. 2"+ 
plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6 or 2 for $10
Puya sp. BK08521.5 From our seed collection in Peru, dark-green metallic 
flowers. 2"+ plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6

Edibles, Medicinals, Beneficials
Betula utilis CC5763 Himilayan birch, beautiful gold peeling bark. 18?24" 
plant $7.50 or 2 for $13/ Sale Price $6 or 2 for $11
Bomarea sp. BK08526.8 Vining lily from our seed collection Raqchi, Peru. 
Plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6
Disporum cantoniense ex DJHC 729 Graceful woodland medicinal/edible from 
China. Plant $7.50/ Sale Price $6
Lapageria rosea Vine with large rose bells, national flower of Chile. 
Seedling $12/ Sale price $9.50
Pernettya furens Evergreen blueberry reltive from Chile. Plant $6.50/ Sale 
Price $5.50

Andean Tubers
?Oca?
Oxalis tuberosa BK08516.7 Yellow flattened cylindrical tubers with slender 
pink eyes. Plant $14.50/ Sale Price $11
Oxalis tuberosa BK08516.8 Yellow with a pinkish blush, after exposure to 
light they turn a deeper pink/maroon. Plant $14.50/ Sale Price $11         
 
Oxalis tuberosa Bauml ?Golden? Deep golden yellow tubers. Plant $14.50/ 
Sale Price $11
Oxalis tuberosa Bauml ?Crema de Rosa? Cream colored with a pink-red blush. 
Plant $14.50/ Sale Price $11
Oxalis tuberosa OAEC ?Pink? Rounded pink-red tubers. Plant $10.50/ Sale 
Price $7.50
Oxalis tuberosa Kapular ?Orange? Orange to salmon-red tubers. Plant 
$10.50/ Sale Price $7.50
?Papa Lisa? ?Ulluco?
Ullucus tuberosus BK08607.1 Round yellow tubers with pink speckles. Plant 
$14.50/ Sale Price $11

NEW BOOKS
We?ve added over a dozen new titles. For the complete list see- 
http://www.sacredsucculents.com/books.html

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 8.25% SALES TAX
We still only take Cash (USD$ or Euros), Money Orders, or Checks.
You can print out an order form- 
http://www.sacredsucculents.com/orderform.pdf
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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