[Sacred Succulents] Spring Sale

[benkamm at monitor.net]

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

5/10/11

Greetings to all,

Spring is here in all its fecund fervor. To celebrate we are offering a 
few of our favorite plants at significant discounts until we arrive at the 
Solstice.

As you will note, we re not currently in the Andes, as is usual this time 
of year. We are taking this season to focus on our own gardens and  food 
production, enjoying the seasonal transformations here at home that we?ve 
missed the past 3 years. We plan to return to our travels next spring, and 
there will once again be an opportunity to join us in the field. 

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - Issue 32 should be ready before the end of May. 
Another very large and diverse issue, don?t miss it! There?s crested 
Trichocereus bridgesii, 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. 

SPRING SALE!
The following are available for the discounted prices until the Summer 
Solstice, June 21 or while supplies last.

Betula utilis CC5763 ?Bhojapatra? ?Himalayan Birch?
Betulaceae. A gorgeous medium sized birch tree 20?35' tall. Exceptional 
gold and copper peeling bark. The leaves turn a rich yellow and defoliate 
in Autumn. From seed collected by Chadwell at 12,500' Langtang, Nepal, 
just south of the Tibetan border. An important tree, the bark is used for 
wound healing and as a carminative. In India the resin is reportedly used 
as a contraceptive. It is widely used for construction, and the tree is 
now considered endangered in some regions due to deforestation. Easy to 
grow, does well in most soils. Z7a        12?18"+ plant, 2 years old $7.50 
or 2 for $13  Sale Price $6.25 or 3 for $17 

Desfontainia spinosa ?Taique? ?Borrachero?
Desfontainiaceae. Highly ornamental evergreen shrub. Holly-like leaves, 1" 
tubular red flowers with yellow tips, yellow-green fruits. Rare throughout 
its range from the Columbian Andes south to Chile. Considered a monotypic 
species with a family all its own, yet our perusal of herbarium specimens 
in Peru suggest to us that either the plant exhibits extreme morphological 
plasticity or there?s more than one species. We first encountered this 
awesome plant in 1996 in Cusco, Peru between the ruins of Sayacmarca and 
Runkurakay at 12,500'. Used as an ethnomedicinal inebrient, possibly a 
deliriant entheogen. The chemistry is poorly understood. Easy to grow, in 
full sun it stays a bush to 6', in part shade it can reach 15' or more. 
Well drained rich acid soil. Drought tolerant once established, but 
prefers ample water. We offer Chilean clones. Z8b    6"+ plant $14.50 Sale 
Price $12.50 or 2 for $22

Disporum cantoniense ex DJHC 729
Liliaceae. From underground rhizomes arise asparagus like stalks 
rich-purple in color and 3?6' tall. Lanceolate leaves, cream colored 
tubular flowers, black-purple berries. Our mother plants are from Hinkley 
collections in China. A forest understory plant that is a giant relative 
to our native fairy bells. The rhizome is used for fever and the young 
shoots cooked as a vegetable like asparagus. Rich moist soil and part to 
full shade. Z6a       Plant 2+ years old $7.50 Sale Price $6

Fabiana viscosa
Solanaceae. Shrub to 3' with small sticky cylindrical leaves. Tubular 
yellow flowers cover the plant. Occurs up to 6,500' in Region 3 & 4, 
Chile. Another beautiful and bizarre erica-like tobacco relative. 
Medicinal, aromatic and possibly psychoactive. Drought hardy. Z9a 8?12"+ 
plant 1+ years old $9.50  Sale Price $7.50 or 2 for $14

Lycium oxyrocarpum ?Wolwedoring? ?Honey-thorn?
Solanaceae. Upright thorned shrub. Lanceolate leaves, violet flowers and 
orange red edible berries. This is another interesting species of 
?gojiberry? worthy of more research. The roots are used for backache and 
reproductive health. Drought hardy. Z8a     8?12" plant 1+ years old $8.50 
Sale Price $7

Polylepis australis ?Kewina?
Rosaceae. Gorgeous small tree with peeling reddish bark and often gnarled 
twisted trunks. Fuzzy pinnate leaves with 5?7 leaflets. The southernmost 
species of this Andean genus, growing all the way into the Cordoba 
mountains of central Argentina. A keystone species of the high Andean 
forests which are recognised as being one of the most endangered forest 
ecosystems in the world. Polylepis are used medicinally for lung issues. 
So far they seem quite adaptable to low elevation cultivation. Z4b?5a 
Treelet 6?12"+ 2 years old $15 Sale Price $12.50 or 2 for $20

Rhaphithamnus spinosus
Verbenaceae. Unusual and alluring shrub 5?20'. Young branches are spiny 
and it boasts a generous profusion of tubular lavender flowers followed by 
glossy purple fruits that are edible and said to be tasty. The foliage 
turns an inciting purple during Winter. Z7b     8"+ plant 1+ years old $10 
 Sale Price $8 or 2 for $14

Trichocereus sp. Torres & Torres
Cactaceae. Dark green upright stems to 12'+ in height and 6"+ in diameter. 
Small, stout, amber colored spines. Similar to T. pachanoi. From material 
collected by archaeologist Manuel Torres & his wife Donna in the northern 
part of central Chile. Z9a   6"+ cutting $14 Sale Price $12

Tropaeolum tuberosum v. lineamaculatum ?Ken Aslet? ?Mashua? ?Añu?
Tropaeolaceae. Cream colored grub-like tubers with purple speckles, to 6" 
long. Annual climbing stems to 8', rounded lobed leaves. Tubular 
bright-orange flowers. A close relative to the garden nasturtium. Easy to 
grow, highly ornamental, pest resistant and repellent. The tubers are 
cooked like potatoes and can have a slight peppery flavor. Shown to reduce 
testosterone with regular consumption. This is a rare but widespread 
horticultural selection that is productive in a variety of situations and 
daylengths. Z7a when mulched.    Plant $9.50 Sale Price $7.50 

Valeriana jatamansi (= V. wallichii) ?Indain Valerian? ?Mushkbala?
Valerianaceae. A delightful low growing plant with basal rosettes of soft 
heart shaped leaves. 12" flower stalk with small white flowers. Native to 
the temperate forests of the western Himalayas into the mountains of 
Afghanistan up to 10,000'. The plant has a sweet aroma and is a source of 
the legendary Spikenard oil. The rhizomes are rich in valepotriates, 
reported to be effective for leprosy. It also has sedative actions like 
other valerian species. Does best in part shade and moist soil. Z7b Plant 
2 years old $8.50 Sale Price $7 or 2 for $12.50

NEW OFFERINGS
The following are only available in limited quantities, get them while you 
can!

Cajophora coronata ?Kuri? ?Ortiguilla? 
Loasaceae. Weird 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

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

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 firestarting. Widely regarded urinary tonic and treatment for lung 
congestion. Z8 or 9a        6?8"+ plant 1 year old $12.50

Dasylirion wheeleri BK11223.2 ?Sotol?
Nolinaceae or Agavaceae. Unique shaggy trunked plant to 5'+ tall. Rosettes 
of slender gray 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

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. 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 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 
Orconcocha, 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?   4?6" plant 2+ years old $9.50

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. The only information we could 
gather is that 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 between Huacahuasi and 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 and straightforward to grow. So far it has 
not proven to be quite as cold hardy as we expected, young plants only 
tolerate mild frost, we would expect mature specimens to be hardy below 
Z8b.        6?8"+ rooted cuttings $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

Vaccinium consanguineum ?Paramo Huckleberry?
Ericaceae. 4?12' evergreen shrub with densely packed glossy blue 
green-leaves 1?2" long. Masses of white tinged-pink bell flowers swell to 
become 1/3" red then blue-black berries when fully ripe. Native to the 
high elevation cloud forest and paramo in Cartago Province, Costa Rica. If 
picked early the berries have a disagreeable flavor, but once fully ripe 
they are quite delicious. Sun to part shade. Cold stratify for best 
germination. Z8b   Seed packet $3.50
4?6" plant 2+ years old $8.50

GIFT CERTIFICATES - are always available.

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
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