[Sacred Succulents] unfurling spring

[benkamm at monitor.net]

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

3/1/12

Greetings to all, 

We are finally getting good rain after the dryest winter I?ve experienced 
in northern California.
Strangely, many of our Trichocereus cacti we have growing outside took a 
real beating again this winter. We can?t quite figure out why, but it is 
at least as bad as last winter, which was the worst we?ve experienced in 
16+ years of tending them in Sonoma County. Because of this, the 
availability of some species and clones will be much less this season, 
some won?t be available until mid to late summer.

We had a good harvest of the various Andean tubers and these are currently 
available as bare root tubers until late April, at which time we?ll be 
replanting them and they?ll be available as plants. Order the bare root 
tubers now to save on shipping costs (Every 3 counts as only 1 plant). 
Salvaged from Jerry Black?s Oregon Exotics introductions, we have a few 
new varieties of achira, oca, and mashua available this email and will 
have more later in the year.

We are extending this month?s sale on trees until April 6. This is a good 
chance to get them while they are still mostly dormant and the ground is 
ripe for planting. 

Since several of you have been asking, we have updated our wholesale seed 
list, see attached pdf. Anyone can order from this as long as they meet 
the minimum order.
 

More fascinating new seeds and plants listed this email and always more to 
come! 

Ben & Family

Events for 2012
Planting the Future:
United Plant Savers Conference, May26-27, Williams, Oregon. We hope to see 
you there! 
http://www.unitedplantsavers.org and http://www.herb-pharm.com/PTF_2012

Baja Botanical Journey:
November, 2012. You will have a chance again to join us in exploring the 
wonders of the mountains of southern Baja! For specifics contact Gabriela 
- gabriela at ecobaja.com 

RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - Issue 35 should be ready by mid April. Yet 
another very large and diverse issue, don?t miss it! Endemic seed from the 
remote Juan Fernandez Archipelago (500 miles from Chile, another 
?Galapagos? of endemics). There?s Trichocereus specimens, more new 
Peperomia and Ephedra species, Caudiciform blueberry kin Agapetes and 
Macleania, 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, New Zealand and the Himalayas! We even have a smattering of 
Codonopsis convolvulacea seed again, a plant purported to cure all 
disease, allow one to walk on water and fly! 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. 

TREE SALE! (prices good until April 6, 2012 (orders must be postmarked by 
this date.))
* Plants marked with * are oversized, add an additional $5 to the shipping 
total (need only apply once per order)

Acer campbelli CC6134 ?Phirphire? ?Nepalese Maple?
Aceraceae. An elegant maple to 15?40'. Green bark, 5?7 lobed deep-green 
leaves, new foliage is a bronzy red, turning yellow to bright red in the 
Fall. White pink flowers and winged fruit. Chadwell seed collection from 
10,000', Annapurna, Nepal. Traditionally coppiced for fodder. A lovely 
landscape tree, sun to part shade. Z7a. 
6"+ treelet 2 years old $5.75 Sale Price! 2 for $10

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 reportededly 
contraceptive. Widely used for construction, the tree is now considered 
endangered in some regions due to deforestation. Easy to grow, does well 
in most soils. Z7a 
20?24"+ tree, 2?3 years old $7.50 Sale Price $6.50* or 2 for $11.75*

Crataegus pinnatifida ?Major? ?Shan Zha? ?Chinese Haw?
Rosaceae. Small deciduous tree to 15'+. Abundant white flowers followed by 
1?1.5" red hawthorn fruit. The leaves turn a brilliant crimson in Autumn. 
Native to Asia. The fruits are eaten fresh, dried, as a tea and made into 
candies. Widely used in Oriental medicine. Begins fruiting when only 2?3' 
tall. This variety is elected for its fruit with a higher pulp content 
than other varieties. We only have a few of these left! Z5b 
24?30"+ tree 3+ years old $14 Sale Price! $12.75*

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. 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? 
16?20"+ treelet $15  Sale Price! $12.50*

Ilex paraguariensis ?Paraguay? ?Yerba Mate?
Mate tree, seed collected from old plantations in Paraguay. Young treelets 
of this popular tea. See catalog for full species info. Z9a 
6"+ treelet 1 year old  $12.50  Sale Price! $10.50

Polylepis australis ?Kewina?
Rosaceae. Gorgeous small tree with peeling reddish bark and often gnarled 
twisted trunks. Pinnate leaves with 5?7 leaflets. The southernmost species 
of this Andean genus, occuring all the way into the Cordoba mountains of 
central Argentina. A keystone species of the high Andean forests which are 
one of the most endangered forest ecosystems in the world. Polylepis are 
used medicinally for lung issues. Quite adaptable to low elevation 
cultivation. Z4b?5a
14?18" treelet 2+ years old $15  Sale Price $13 or 2 for $22* or 3 for 
$30*

New Plant and Seed Offerings
You can print out an order form- http://sacredsucculents.com/order-form/

Cactaceae

Ariocarpus agavoides ?Magueyito?
Small species with long, thin tubercles and deep magenta flowers. One of 
the rarest and most endangered of the genus, this plant grows in a very 
restricted area outside Tula, Tamaulipas near the town garbage dump! The 
roots are eaten by locals who relish their sweet flavor, though excessive 
amounts are said to cause ?dizziness?. This unique species has been 
considered on the brink of extinction as civilization encroaches, but 
luckily additional large populations have been discovered in San Luis 
Potosi, where the only major threat is wild goats. Z10a   
1?1.5"+ plant 5?6 years old $10

Ariocarpus bravoanus (=Ariocarpus fissuratus v. bravoanus)
Centrally depressed stem to 3" in diameter. Dark green triangular 
tubercles with papillose tips. White wooly central areoles and magenta 
flowers. Endemic to a single limestone habitat in remote northern San Luis 
Potosi, Mexico. This unique new species looks like an intermediate of A. 
agavoides and A. fissuratus. Critically endangered and overcollected, 
ex-situ propagation may help assure its long term survival. Z10a  
1"+ plant 5?6 years old $15

Epithelantha micromeris
Flowering size plants of the beautiful button cactus. Seed from NM stock, 
should be extra hardy. See catalog/website for full description. Z8b? 
1?1.5"+ plant 3?4 years old $7.50

Trichocereus pachanoi ?Huancabamba? ?Huachuma? ?San Pedro?
Typical ?wild? T. pachanoi, upright rounded green stems, smallish spines, 
white flowers. Seed from Huancabamba, northern Peru, a region long famous 
for its huachumeros (shamans). Widely cultivated in the area and likely 
represents part of the natural distribution of the species. Z9a/b
Seed packet $4

Succulents/Xerophytes

Adansonia ?samibarensis?
Bombacaceae. Supposedly a new species of baobab, we can find no 
information on it. Of African origin, likely a unique, extra fat 
population of A. digatata.
5 seed $4

Dioscorea elephantipes RW218
Dioscoreaceae. Tortoise like caudex and vine with heart shaped leaves. See 
catalog/website for complete info. Seed collected by former CSSA editor 
Russell Wagner from robust plants, Naries Farm, West Springbok, South 
Africa.                                    10 seed $3.50

Stephania rotunda ?Biralgano?
Menispermaceae. Large hemispherical gray caudex to several feet across. 
Deciduous twining vines with attractive rounded peltate leaves. Small 
flowers followed by red berries. Native to thickets and cloud forests from 
the Indian Himalayas to Southeast Asia, up to 8000'. Alkaloid rich, the 
plant is used throughout its range for sprains, stomach ache, liver 
health, fevers, to enhance memory and promote deep sleep. In Nepal the 
caudex is fed to sick cattle. Recent studies show antioxidant, anticancer 
and antimalarial activity. Should tolerate some frost if well mulched. 
Z9b? 
5 seed $3.75

Xerophyta dasylirioides
Velloziaceae. 12" high clumps of upright stems topped with a rosette of 
stiff, thin green leaves. Lilac colored flowers on slender stalks. Endemic 
to the rocky mountains of Antoungoun, southwestern Madagascar. Looks like 
a cluster of dwarf palm trees. Probably medicinal like the South African 
species.  Drought hardy. Sprout like cacti, may benefit from smoke 
treatment. Z10a?
Seed packet $4

Yucca endlichiana ?Pi-tilla?
Agavaceae. Rare dwarf species to 1?2'+ tall with caudex-like rhizomes. 
Thick, upright glaucous blue-green leaves ornamented with dark flecks and 
reddish margins.  The short inflorescence arise near the base of the 
plant, dark red flowers with white interiors. Endemic to very dry 
limestone soils in limited area of the Chihuahuan Desert, southern 
Coahuila, Mexico, 3300?3900'. The leaf fibers are reported to be of 
excellent quality for weaving. One of the most unusual, choice and 
collectible Yucca species. Makes a beautiful potted specimen or slow 
growing groundcover in hot, dry regions. Z8a/b if dry. 
Seed packet $3.75

Other Beneficials
Allium lenkoranicum
Liliaceae. Interesting onion species with thread like leaves and flowers 
12?18" tall. Long lasting, late summer blooms of delicate airy umbels of 
unequal pedicels bearing small bell flowers of unusual shades of grayish 
lilac to rose with darker maroon stripes. Known only from 6000' in the 
Talysh mountains of Azerbaijan, near the port of Lenkoran on the Caspian 
Sea. The small bulbs are edible. Cold stratify seed. Z7?  
Seed packet $3.50

Betula pseudomiddendorffii (=B. divaricata) ?Siberian Dwarf Birch?
Betulacaceae. Miniature tree/shrub, 5?10' high. Densely arranged ovate 
leaves with serrated margins. Pavelka collection, Sajan Mountains, 
Siberia, 7300'. Beautiful slow growing small birch, extremely cold hardy. 
Z2a 
4?6"+ tall treelet, 3 years old $9.50

Dracophyllum traversii ?Mountain Neinei?
Ericaceae or Epacridaceae. Unique blueberry cousin that resembles monocots 
like Yucca, Aloe or Dracaena . Tree 15?30' tall, candelabra branches 
crowned with rosettes of long, recurved leaves, green to purplish red. 
Panicles of tiny flowers at branch ends. Endemic to cool moist mountain 
forests and slopes above 2500', North Island and South Island, New 
Zealand. Long lived, up to 600 years. The strap like leaves are 
traditionally used for weaving. In cultivation a bright but cool spot and 
gritty well draining soil is needed. Should do well in coastal climates 
and the Pacific Northwest. The tiny seeds need 3 months cold 
stratification after which germination occurs sporadically over many 
months. Z7a 
Seed packet $3.50

Andean Offerings

Aristeguietia discolor BK08518.2  ?Asmachilcha?
Asteraceae. Attractive shrub 5?8'. Thick resinous lanceolate leaves, dark 
green on top and whitish undersides. Clusters of pale lavender colored 
flowers. Above Pisac, near 11,000', Cusco Dept., Peru. Asmachilcha is a 
very important medicinal, useful for its powerful bronchodilating and 
mucus drying actions. Also burned to make ash for llipta. Z9b?
Seed packet $4

Chenopodium pallidicaule ?Cochabamba? ?Kaniwa? ?Iswalla Hupa?
Chenopodiaceae. Weedy annual 1?2' tall. A semi-domesticate, cultivated in 
the altiplano regions of Peru and Bolivia. Grows where its close kin 
quinoa and kiwicha (or any grain) will not?dry, salty, and cold regions 
over 13,000'. The small seed is extremely nutritious, about 16+ percent 
protein, saponin free. Even the leaves are protein and calcium rich. 
Unknown outside the Andes, worth experimenting with as a crop. Seed from 
Cochabamba, Bolivia. Z6? 
Seed packet $3.75

Gaultheria brachybotrus BK09512.4 ?Awinchu?
Ericaceae. Clambering shrub to about 2'. New leaves are reddish and 
covered in a soft downy fuzz, later becoming dark green and leathery. 
Clusters of bell-like pink flowers and black edible berries. Used for 
bronchitis. Growing at the base of boulders, Polylepis forest, below 
Chinancocha, Cordillera Blanca, 12,200', Ancash Dept. Give it part shade 
and moist acid soil. A gorgeous species. Z7/8?   
Plant, 3 years old $11.50

Nicotiana tabacum ?Bolivian Criollo? ?Black Tobacco?
Solanaceae. Annual with large sticky leaves, pink tubular flowers. This is 
a criollo strain grown locally in Bolivia, the region in which it is 
believed N. tabacum was originally domesticated. Traditionally cured as a 
?negro?, a dark, strong smoke. Z10a 
Seed packet $4

Puya castellanosii ?Taraca?
Bromeliaceae. Rosettes of slender silver-blue leaves that form dense 
clusters to several feet across. Upright, pyramidally branched flower 
stalk bearing flowers of milky blue shades. Found in large colonies on 
arid rocky slopes between 9-10,000'+, Salta, Argentina. Rare. Fairly cold 
hardy and drought tolerant. Z8b/9?
Seed packet $3.75

Puya yakespala
Clusters of medium size rosettes of green leaves with white undersides. 
Impressive 6?12'+ tall, thick, club-like inflorescence covered in a tan 
wool from which large vibrant yellow flowers emerge. The largest, highest 
altitude Puya in Argentina, known only from populations at Yakespala, 
Santa Victoria, Salta, 13,000'+. Similar to the equally outstanding P. 
herzogii of Bolivia. A hardy species that deserves wide cultivation. Z8a   
 
Seed packet $4

Siphonandra elliptica? BK09430.3  
Ericaceae. Shrub to about 12'. Leathery evergreen leaves. Green/blue 
berries. If I.D. is correct, it should produce clusters of waxy tubular 
red flowers with white tips. Home to many bromeliads and unusual mosses. 
8,800', Cusco Dept., Peru. Another awesome subtropical blueberry relative, 
collect them all! Surface sow, warm 4?6 weeks to sprout. Z9b?   Seed 
packet $4   /   6"+ seedling, 3 years old $12.50

Solanum quitoense ?Lulo? ?Naranjilla?
Solanaceae. Shrub to 3?5' with large serrated leaves covered in a purplish 
fuzz. White to lilac flowers and  round dark yellow fruit 1?3" diameter. 
Ancient domesticate, its wild ancestor is likely native to Andean Columbia 
or Ecuador. The fruits are highly esteemed throughout the Andes for their 
strong citrus flavor, favored over oranges for juice. Does best in 
filtered sun to partial shade. Sprout like tomatoes. Z10a   
Seed packet $3.50

Andean Tubers & Roots
(until the end of April every 3 bare root tubers ordered count as 1 plant 
for shipping costs)

Canna edulis ?Esmeralda?s? ?Achira?
Cannaceae. Dark green leaves and reddish flowers. A fantastic selection 
chosen for its thick, fast growing, yellow and pink banded rhizomes. 
Originally introduced by our friend Jerry Black through his nursery Oregon 
Exotics in the late 90s. Z8b/9a
Plant $13.50

Lepidium peruvianum ?La Paz, Bolivia? ?Maca, Bolivian?
Brassicaceae. Various colored roots, reds, blacks, yellows. Cultivated 
near Apu Illimani, Cordillera Real, La Paz Dept., Bolivia.   Seed packet 
$4.25

Oxalis tuberosa ?OE Orange?  ?Oca?
Oxalidaceae. Knobby cylindrical tubers. Yellow and orange, turning darker 
shades of orange with rose highlights after light exposure. Originally 
introduced by the now defunct Oregon Exotics nursery. We are happy to help 
keep this lovely strain in cultivation. Z7 if mulched   
Tubers/plant $12.50

Pachyrhizus ahipa  ?Ajipa? ?Villu? ?Andean Jicama?
Fabaceae. Semi-erect stems 1?2' high with pubescent trifoliate leaves. 
Violet to white flowers and 3?4" bean pods. Swollen edible root, elongated 
to spherical, weighing up to 1 kilo. Another ancient domesticate, unknown 
in the wild. Cultivated in the Yungas, Ceja de Selva and warm interAndean 
valleys of Bolivia , Peru and northern Argentina, between 5?10,000'. Our 
seed is from Tarija, southern Bolivia. This is the  Andean jicama, with 
sweet crunchy flesh similar to the Mexican jicama (Pachyrrhizus erosus) 
many people are familiar with. Hardier, faster growing and more adaptable 
than Mexican jicama, this is a species that should do well in many 
gardens. Pest free, nitrogen fixing and daylength neutral. The root is 
rich in quality starch, minerals and protein. The foliage, pods and seeds 
contain the pesticide rotenone, moderately toxic to humans. Some plants 
show low rotenone content in the oil rich seeds, it is conceivable that an 
edible seed strain could be developed free of the toxin. About 4-6 months 
to harvest from seed, pinching the flowers back is said to increase root 
size. Prefers well draining soil and warmth. Sprout like beans. 
Cultivation of the plant is nearly extinct in Peru and Argentina and has 
been waning in Bolivia, integrating it into our gardens is an essential 
strategy for the conservation of this valuable ancient root crop. Z10a?    
 
5 seed $4

Tropaeolum tuberosum ?Sapu-anu?  ?Mashua?
Tropaeolaceae. Very fat deep yellow tubers, often rounded and rosette 
like. Good producer. Has a more mild and agreeable flavor than some 
mashua. Another Oregon Exotics introduction that was thought lost. Z7a if 
mulched.                                               Tubers/plant $12.50

Tropaeolum tuberosum v. lineamaculata ?Puca-anu?  ?Mashua?
Elongated cylindrical tubers, yellow with heavy purple-red flecking and 
lines that often entirely cover the tuber. The vines also have dark purple 
stems. This description fits the true variety lineamaculata. Highly 
productive. Originally introduced by Oregon Exotics.  
Tubers/plant $12.50

SHIPPING & HANDLING:
Seeds - First class USA $2, International $4
Seeds ride free when ordered with plants
Plants (USA only)? First class priority mail= $6.00 for the first plant 
$1.50 each additional plant.
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 print out an order form- http://sacredsucculents.com/order-form/ 
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/20120327/aa7679ea/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: SS wholesale seed 12B.pdf
Type: application/octet-stream
Size: 145111 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://lists.sonic.net/mailman/private/sacredsucculents/attachments/20120327/aa7679ea/attachment.obj>