[Sacred Succulents] new offerings

[benkamm at monitor.net]

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

6/21/11

Greetings to all,

Summer Solstice and the hottest day we?ve had this year. It?s hard to 
reconcile that this month started off with the heaviest rains and coldest 
temperatures for June in some 80 years! Growing a broad diversity of 
plants always has its challenges, but the erratic weather this year has 
made it especially so. We?ve been scrambling the last few days to move 
plants out of the greenhouse which has rather suddenly become too hot for 
anything other than the cacti and other succulents. Even some of the 
succulent Peperomia from the higher altitudes have made it perfectly clear 
they don?t appreciate the sudden spike in temperature! 
Many of the Trichocereus which took such a terrible beating this winter 
are finally growing again and we can begin shipping healthy cuttings. The 
diurnal bloomers are just finishing up their kaleidoscope of flowers, 
several weeks later than than any year we can remember.

Peru announced recently that it will be planting 40 million trees. This 
has generated a lot of good press- 
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/02/peru-to-plant-40-million-trees-reforestation-campaign.php 
  But what is mind boggling is that the plan is to plant eucalyptus, 
Mexican pine, CA cypress, and a token native tree, the very common Schinus 
molle! None of the highly endangered and beneficial trees of the Andes! 
One fifth of the Andes was once forested, less than one percent of that 
now remains, making the Andean forests the most endangered forest 
ecosystem on the planet. The forests were integral to the Incan culture, 
medicinal plant and animal diversity was highest within the forests, 
ancestral spirits were associated with Polylepis trees and there was a 
whole priest class dedicated to the forest. The Andean forests actually 
expanded during the Incan empire. It seems that many of the Trichocereus 
cacti evolved as part of the Andean forest. With the resurgence of 
indigenous pride in Peru, and some moderately successful reforestation 
projects using Polylepis trees in the central highlands, it?s dumbfounding 
that they are going ahead with planting millions of eucalyptus, pine and 
cypress. With the current nativist trend amongst biologists and 
restorationists in our country, there?s no way anyone in the USA could get 
anywhere with a plan to ?reforest? with millions of exotics. Still, trees 
are better than no trees. It seems that the future forests of the Peruvian 
Andes will have a radically different species make up than what evolved 
there over the millennia... We are having good success propagating 
endangered Andean forest species here in California. As mentioned in the 
previous email, we have our first Polylepis flowers on 3 year old trees. 
We have Chachacomo trees available for the first time, we should have a 
few amazing Hesperomeles trees available later in the year. Those with the 
calling can create their own little patch of Andean forest to tend and 
help preserve a bit of the genetic diversity of these vanishing 
ecosystems.
 
Baja Botanical Journey - You will have a chance again this November to 
join us in exploring the wonders of the mountains of southern Baja... more 
info soon!

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - Issue 32 available. Another very large and 
diverse issue, don?t miss it! There?s crested Trichocereus bridgesii and 
other Trichocereus specimens, more new Peperomia species, rare Turkish 
Salvia. A plethora of new seed/seedlings from our past Andean expedition 
to Peru and Bolivia, new seed/plants from South Africa, Chile (Gomortega 
keule trees),  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 limited 
rarities and specimens. 

RARE OFFERINGS
Many of the following are only available in limited quantities, get them 
while you can!
You can print out an order form- 
http://www.sacredsucculents.com/orderform.pdf

Agapetes manii
Ericaceae. Shrub to 2'+ with small densely arranged leaves. Forms 
caudiciform lignotubers wherever the stems touch the ground. White tubular 
flowers and pale purple berries with a sweet gelatinous flesh. A 
semi-epiphytic species from the mid elevation cloud forests of western 
China and northeastern India. Reported to have liver protective 
properties. Prefers part shade, well draining acidic soil. Exceedingly 
rare in cultivation. Z8b?      3?4" plant 2 years old $12

Agapetes ?Ludgvan?s Cross? ?Himalayan Huckleberry Hybrid?
A hybrid of A. serpens and A. rugosa. 2?3" pointed leaves and eventually 
forms a woody caudex. Pale-pink lantern flowers with deep rose chevron 
markings are borne in mass along the stems, a sight to see! Edible 
berries. Part shade well draining acid soil. Z8b      8?12" plans $7.50

Cajophora coronata ?Kuri? ?Ortiguilla? 
Loasaceae. Weird cushion plant to 12"+ with lacinate leaves covered in 
stinging hairs like nettles. Unusual white lantern-like flowers to 3" 
across. Endemic to the high mountains of central northern Chile, above 
9,000'. Has medicinal uses similar to nettle. Z6b/7a        Seed packet $3

Canna edulis ?Verde? ?Achira?
Cannaceae. Ginger-like perennial monocot to 6'. This strain has deep green 
leaves, slender red flowers flecked with orange and lime-green seed pods. 
Edible rhizomes. One of the ?lost? crops of the Incas. The rhizomes are 
extremely rich in a large molecule starch and have been eaten since 
antiquity. Young shoots and immature seeds are also edible. Tolerant of 
diverse conditions, prefers moist soil. Often planted as a wind break. Z8b 
if mulched.  Seedling 1 year old $10.50

Chenopodium oahuense BK10930.3 ?Aheahea? 
Chenopodiaceae. The woodiest Chenopodium in the world, to over 15' tall! 
Fleshy leaves and clusters of tiny yellowish flowers. Endemic to the dry 
habitats of the Hawaiian Islands, from the coast to subalpine. The plant 
was used to treat thrush and the leaves can be cooked and eaten like 
spinach. Seed collected near 9,000'. Surface sow. Drought hardy. Z8 and 
below.        Seed packet $3

Cleome boliviensis ?Chawqu Mayu? ?Ijchipa?
Capparidaceae. Tender spiny perennial 3?7' tall. Palmate divided leaves. 
Numerous pale lilac flowers with long spidery maroon stamens on dense 
racemes. Attracts a diversity of pollinators. Native to the warm mid 
elevation valleys of the Bolivian Andes. Used in baths to reduce fever, 
fresh leaves are put on the head to treat headache. The leaves are 
sometimes eaten cooked. Drought hardy. Z9b or 10a       Seed packet $3

Commiphora mukul  ?Guggul?
Burseraceae. Attractive small tree with spinescent branches, thickened 
trunks and gray peeling bark. Grows wild in the semi-arid states of 
Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka in India. The sweet smelling aromatic 
sap, similar to Myrrh, has been utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for over 
3,000 years as a treatment for arthritic conditions and heart disease. 
Modern clinical studies show it to be anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol 
and burn excess body fat. Rare in cultivation, endangered in habitat due 
to overharvesting for the herb trade. Easy to grow, deciduous. Z10a?b  
Seedling $8.50 or 2 for $15

Dasylirion wheeleri BK11223.2 ?Sotol?
Nolinaceae or Agavaceae. Unique shaggy trunked plant to 5'+ tall. Rosettes 
of slender grey green leaves with toothed margins, like a hacksaw. The 
large flower spire can reach well over 12' bearing many small white 
flowers. Seed collected in the hills around Mimbres Hotsprings, NM above 
6,000'. The strong  leaf fibers were valued for making cordage, the young 
flower stalks roasted and eaten. In northern Mexico a liquor known as 
?sotol? was made from the plant. A great landscape specimen, heat and 
drought tolerant. Z7a       Seed packet $3

Delosperma bosseranum
Aizoaceae. Narrow succulent leaves, white flowers and swollen caudiciform 
roots. Native to Madagascar. Z10a    Plant 2 years old $4.50 or 3 for $10

Delosperma harazianum
Small cushion forming species with slender grey blue pointed succulent 
leaves and pink flowers. Native to south Yemen. Reported to contain 
tryptamines. Z9b     Plant 2 years old $5.50 or 3 for $14

Delosperma lavisae
Succulent matts to 12"+ tall with dark green leaves and large magenta 
flowers. An excellent and well behaved hardy groundcover. Z6b   Plant 2 
years old $5.50 or 3 for $14

Dierama igneum ?Hairbell? ?Faerie?s Wand?
Iridaceae. Clumps of upright iris-like leaves to 3'. Long slender arching 
stalks bearing pendulous lilac to rose pink bell flowers. Native to the 
grasslands of eastern South Africa. Grown from wild seed. Dierama are the 
embodiment of grace. Likes a bright spot and rich moist soil. Inquire for 
other species. Z7a    Plant 3+ years old $6.75

Embothrium coccineum fma. andina ?Notro? ?Ciruelillo? ?Chilean Firebush?
Proteaceae. Attractive shrub to 5' with leathery lanceolate leaves and 
large showy bunches of bright red tubular flowers make for ecstatic 
hummingbirds. This dwarf form is native to the high rainfall mid 
elevations of southern Chile. The copious nectar flow from the flowers is 
a source of natural sweetener. The flowers are massaged into to the body 
for spiritual protection. Give it a mineral soil and bright spot but keep 
the roots cool, especially during warm weather. Fixes nitrogen but 
dislikes rich soil and strong fertilizer, especially high phosphorus ones. 
Z6b      8?10"+ plant 2 years old $14

Ephedra americana BK10504.1 ?Sano-sano?
Ephedraceae. Xerophytic leafless shrub 2?4' tall. Small red edible fruit a 
bit more papery than most. Somewhat resembles the Chilean Ephedra breana. 
Companion plant to Trichocereus bridgesii, Prosopis sp., Puya sp., 
Oreocereus pseudofossulatus, Corryocactus melanotrichus, etc. Abundant on 
the shale soil and steep slopes above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia. In some 
parts of Bolivia it is made into a ?coffee? and the herbage is often used 
for fire starting. Widely regarded urinary tonic and treatment for lung 
congestion. Drought hardy. Z8 or 9a            6?8"+ plant 1 year old 
$12.50

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. Z7/8?         6?8"+ plant $15

Gaultheria forrestii
Ericaceae. Graceful evergreen shrub 4?5' tall. 3" oval leaves and large 
sprigs of white flowers. Bunches of black edible berries. Native to Yunnan 
Province China. Leaves and fruit have an enticing wintergreen aroma and 
flavor. Part to full shade. Does well as a forest understory plant. Z7b 
Seed packet $3   /   4" + plant 2+ years old $8.50

Gaultheria odorata ?Aja-te?es?
2?4' tall evergreen shrub with slightly hairy alternate oval leaves to 3". 
White bell flower and pea-size dark purple fruit. From the higher 
elevation cloud forests of Chiapas, Mexico. The fruit is eaten and the 
plant considered medicinal by the Zincatan Maya. A fine exotic for the 
forest garden. Surface sow. Z8 or 9b    Seed packet $3  /  4?6" plant 2+ 
years old $8.50

Gentiana sp. CC5932 
Gentianaceae. Deciduous rosettes of smooth blue-green leaves. Flowers not 
yet seen, likely blue. A Chadwell collection from the mountains of Tibet 
at over 13,000'. Unlike some Alpine gentians this one has been very easy 
to grow in well drained gravelly soil. Z5a?         Plant 3 years old 
$7.50

Hypericum laricifolium BK09512.1 ?Chinchancu? ?Romerillo?
Hypericaceae. Soft feathery shrub to 6' tall. Small dense acicular leaves. 
Yellow St. John?s Wort flowers. Source of a yellow dye. Used medicinally 
as a diuretic and shown to have antibacterial and antiinflammatory 
actions. Bird and bee forage. The dominant shrub above the eastern end of 
Orconococha, 13,000', Ancash Dept., Peru. This was probably once Polylepis 
forest that was cut for cattle grazing, this Hypericum is a pioneer 
species on disturbed lands in the eastern slopes of the northern Andes. 
Z7?         6"+ plant 2+ years old $9.50

Maihuenia poeppigii ?Mahuen?
Cactaceae. A unique low growing Opuntia relative. Forms mats of 
cylindrical stems to 4" topped with small fleshy leaves. Spines to 1/2"+ 
and yellow flowers. Seed wild collected in the mountains of central Chile. 
Edible fruit. Fantastic for the rock garden, tolerant of high rainfall. 
Z5b/6a        1.5?2"+ plants 2?3 years old $7.50

Oxalis tuberosa ?Oca? Kapular Selections
Oxalidaceae. The following are Oca selections from conservationist Alan 
Kapular and family. Grow as other Oca varietals. Z7a 
Per plant $8.50 or 4 for $30
Oxalis tuberosa ?Amarillo? - Rich yellow rounded tubers blush orange with 
light exposure. 
Oxalis tuberosa ?Hopin? - Round white tubers blushed with pale pink to 
red. Nice crisp flavor.
Oxalis tuberosa ?Mexican Red? - Dark blood red flattened cylindrical 
tubers. 
Oxalis tuberosa ?Rebo? - The red Bolivian selection, deep red rounded 
cylindrical tubers with yellow eyes. 
Complete Oca Collection $70*- includes plants of all 10 varietals we 
offer, over $100 value!  * add $12 shipping 

Peperomia maculosa
Piperaceae. 1?3' succulent boasting big, shiny dark-green leaves to 6"+ 
with white veins and purple speckled stems. Dark purple infloresence to 
12", like a rat tail. Forests of Costa Rica up to 6000'. This is one of 
the showiest larger species and makes an excellent houseplant. The plant 
is pleasantly aromatic when crushed and likely has medicinal properties. 
Z10a     Seed packet $3

Pernettya prostrata BK09512.3  ?Macha-macha?
Ericaceae. Evergreen subshrub to 18". Pink or red stems with small leaves, 
dark green and shiny. Bell shaped white flowers followed by black berries. 
The berries are said to be edible but if too many are eaten cause a kind 
of inebriation. The Quechua name ?macha-macha? means ?drunken?. Growing 
amongst rocks, streamside, Polylepis weberbaueri forest, 12,200', Ancash 
Dept., Peru. Z7a      4?6" plant 2 years old $10

Phytolacca insularis ?Korean Poke?
Phytollacaceae. Herbaceous bush to 10' with simple leaves, red stems, 
pinkish flowers and black berries. An endangered and rare Korean endemic 
poke, conservation through propagation is encouraged. The leaves have 
anti-viral compounds. Part shade and rich soil. Z6?        Plant 2?3 years 
old $7.50

Saracha aff. punctata BK08524.5 
Solanaceae. A staggeringly gorgeous plant and one of our most appealing 
seed collections in 2008. Tree 20?40+' with oval leaves and festooned in 
hundreds of 1" bell flowers, pale lavender to dark purple with cream 
colored veination. 1/2" round black fruit. Looks strangely like an 
arborescent belladonna! Planted at rural homesteads in the village of 
Huacahuasi, 12,500', Cusco Dept., Peru, where it is grown as an 
ornamental. Since our initial collection we have also seen it planted 
above 13,000' at Patacancha village and observed a few wild specimens 
growing in remnant forest along the Rio Trapiche above Lares. We are 
excited to offer it into cultivation for the very first time so it can 
take a place in the garden next to its other exotic arborescent 
solanaceous kin such as Brugmansia, Iochroma, Cestrum, etc. Easy to grow. 
Young plants only tolerate mild frost, mature specimens should be hardy 
below Z8b.     8"+ rooted cutting $24.50

Satureja multiflora ?Alwe Lawen? ?Menta de Arbol?
Labiatae. Aromatic shrub to 5'. Rich green simple leaves, deep-pink 
tubular flowers to entice hummingbirds. An endangered species from central 
Chile. This is a lovely Andean yerba buena with a pleasing mint-like 
scent. A tea is used for stomach problems. Sun to part shade and regular 
moisture. Z9a or b    8?12" plant 1+ years old $7.50

Trichocereus bridgesii Baker5452 
Cactaceae. Slender blue-green branches. Collected for the late B. Baker by 
J. Cruz from a shaman?s garden, Jayuri, Murillo Prov, La Paz, Bolivia. Z9a 
    6" cutting $12.50

Ugni myricoides
Myrtaceae. Evergreen shrub 5?8'. Pendant white-pink bell flowers transform 
into 1/3?1/2" dark rose berries. A huckleberry-like cloud forest plant 
from Chiapas, Mexico south to scattered regions of South America. 
Confusingly sometimes called Chilean black guava, though it?s not Chilean 
like its close kin U. molinae. The berries are sweet and edible, but have 
a stronger flavor than U. molinae. Hybridizing the two might lead to 
interesting progeny. More tolerant of tropical conditions than the 
temperate U. molinae. Part shade and moist rich soil. Z9b or below. Seed 
packet $3  /  6"+ plant 2 years old $6.75

Ullucus tuberosus BK10425.2 ?Ulluco? ?Papa Lisa?
Baselleaceae. 3?4"+ grub-like cylindrical yellow tubers with flourescent 
pink splotches. Traditionally cultivated near Patacancha, Cusco Dept., 
Peru. Z7a      Plant $14.50

Ullucus tuberosus BK10429.1  ?Papa Lisa? ?Ulluco?
Pale to bright yellow round to cylindrical tubers with slender pale pink 
?eyes?. From G. Quispe,  Chinchero, Cusco Dept., Peru. Z7a     Plant 
$14.50

Vaccinium consanguineum ?Paramo Huckleberry?
Ericaceae. 4?12' evergreen shrub with densely packed glossy blue 
green-leaves. Masses of white-pink bell flowers swell to become 1/3" red 
then blue-black berries when fully ripe. High elevation cloud forest and 
paramo, Cartago Province, Costa Rica. The berries are delicious. Sun to 
part shade. Z8b                            Seed packet $3.50   /   4?6" 
plant 2+ years old $8.50

Yucca rostrata
Agavaceae. Upright single trunk to 15' tall with up to several 
hemispherical heads of slender bluish leaves. 2' inflorescence with white 
flowers. Native to northern Mexico and west Texas. As with other species 
the leaves are a source of strong fiber and the blossoms and fruit edible. 
This is one of the most attractive arborescent Yucca and is an excellent 
and versatile hardy landscape plant. Z7b     Seed packet $2.75

Zea mays BK10429.3 ?Cancha Corn?
Poaceae. This is the famous heirloom strain of giant kernelled white corn 
from the inter-Andean valleys of Cusco Dept., Peru. The dried kernels are 
popular toasted and salted. Fresh ears are boiled and sold with chunks of 
cheese. Also sprouted and fermented into chicha, the favored alcohol of 
the Andes.                                              Seed packet $3

Zea mays ?Chulpino? 
Heirloom strain of corn with long slender yellowish kernels from Andean 
Peru. Another variety popular toasted. Sprouted kernels are made into 
chicha.                                        Seed packet $3

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.
Foreign customers, inquire about Paypal payments
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
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.sonic.net/mailman/private/sacredsucculents/attachments/20110621/fbd5e02b/attachment.html>