Xerophilia 2019.08 31 PDF

the passion for cacti and other succulents
ISSN 2285 – 3987
25
August
2019
summary 25
3 · Editorial 25 | Dag
4 · Xerophilia 25's Favorite Quote: Herman Edward Daly | Xerophilia
5 · In the search of Horridocactus aspillagae | Grzegorz Matuszewski
15 · Coryphantha potosiana (Jacobi) Glass & Foster a critically endangered species | Juan Miguel Artigas Azas
23 · The genus Leptocereus, part 2: Leptocereus wrightii, resurrected from extinction | José Miguel Acuña
37 · Tucson Area Opuntias | Dave Ferguson & Joe Shaw
67 · Holguín Dwarf Cactus: Escobaria cubensis (Britton and Rose) Hunt | Rusbel de la Cruz Hechavarría Salvia
75 · Field notes on Echinocactus polycephalus in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park | Elton Roberts
81 · ×Carpophyma mutabilis Heenan & Sykes at Ahuriri Estuary, Napier, New Zealand | Eduart Zimer
89 · Mammillaria senilis Lodd. ex Salm-Dyck, a pictorial in early March | Ricardo Ramirez Chaparro
103 · Online journals | Xerophilia
104 · Abstract în limba română | Xerophilia
Founders: Eduart Zimer • Dag Panco • Valentin Posea Nordic representative • Erik Holm
Supporter • Mihai Crisbășanu
Editor: Dag Panco Editorial team's e-Mail: xerophilia@xerophilia.ro.
Graphic layout based on Andrea Cattabriga's pattern.
EN edition • Eduart Zimer All rights reserved – no part of this publication may be reproduced in any forms
SP edition & Field researches • Pedro Nájera Quezada or by any means, without written permission of the Editor. All copyrighted
Photo edition • Valentin Posea photographs have been used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
PR & Graphic • Dag Panco International license.
Front cover Back cover
Erythrina flabelliformis, Opuntia chlorotica var. santa-rita.

Sinforosa Canyon, Chih., Mexico
Photo by Photo by
Ricardo Ramirez Chaparro Dave Ferguson & Joe Shaw
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summary
no 25 August 2019
W e have no words for the people who live in the 21st century, pretending they are civilized,
editorial 25
when they are destroying everything around!
We have no word for this entire civilized world, which wants to set off and ultimately travels
through the skies, but kills everything around!
We have no words for all of us, who complain on ourselves of doing nothing, when we are tearing
apart everything around!
Looking yesterday at what was happening in Mexico, in California, in Greece, looking today at the
fires from Siberia, Africa and Amazon, looking at our burning abode, looking everywhere around -
we have no more words at all...
of forest near Yosemite National Park, in 2013 - Wikipedia

The Rim Fire burned more than 250,000 acres (1,000 km2)
Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture - Flickr: 20130817-FS-UNK-0004 - Public domain

summary
Editorial
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The native people of the American

continent, starting with the people living
on the high Andean plateaus, continuing
with the Central American populations to,
finally, the inhabitants of the great north-
ern prairies, were a genuine source of civi-
Photo by William Henry Holmes (pubnlic domain 0 from Wikipedia).

lization and not the savages that, at that
time, were presented by the propaganda
of the exponents of the different types of
“Conquest”, to which they were subjected
and which destroyed inestimable cultural
treasures that can never be recovered.
Living close to nature, in their midst,
their wisdom developed thoughts and
Wooden mask, Key Marco, Florida.

precepts, with nothing less than the great
philosophers of the world, and moreo-
ver, this native and anonymous wisdom
went to convene the great philosophies
mentioned, coming together with them in
countless common points.
Xerophilia
Xerophilia 25's
Favorite Quote
Only when
the last tree is cut,
killed the last bear,
caught the last fish,
the last grassland burned,
will the white man realize
that he can’t eat money
summary
Apocryphal Cree prophesy

(if it is not true it is well found)
Editorial
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In the search of
summary
Horridocactus aspillagae
&
Horridocactus aspillagae
maechlerorum
ssp.
Grzegorz Matuszewski -
webb: www.kaktusymeksyku.pl
Text and photos by the author
Translation from Polish by Cyryl Matuszewski
T
he first description of the species more to the newly created genus Neochilenia. In
Echinocactus aspillagai Söhrens 1994 Fred Kattermann moved this species to
appeared in 1929 in the German Eriosyce genus. David Hunt in The New Cactus
Monatschrift DKG 1:125. In 1935 Curt Lexicon (2006) accepted Kattermann’s position,
Backeberg moved this species for the though he divided the genus Eriosyce into various
first time to the genus Neoporteria in subgenus groups. This way the E. aspillagae
Cactus-ABC; 259. Later, in 1941, in species appeared in the Horridocactus group.
Fedde Rep.;206 Kreuzinger and Buining erected Finally thanks to the botanist Joël Lodé and his big
summary
a completely new genus Hildmannia specifically and heavy (8kg) two-volume study TAXONOMY of
designed for this plant. In 1959 Friedrich Ritter the CACTACEAE it came back to the Neoporteria
in Succulenta (Netherlands); 131 transferred genus. In this article I am still going to use the
the species into Pyrrhocactus genus. Then again name Horridocactus, though I do agree that in the
Backeberg in his monumental work Die Cactaceae botanic term both Horridocactus and Neoporteria
t.VI; 3770 changed the affiliation of the taxon once genera are very alike if not the same.
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Pupuya.
The species Horridocactus aspillagae steps out on naked. Spines are white with dark tip, later grey;
the south border of this plants’ group occurrence 4-12 on the side, 10-20 mm long, thin, coniferous;
area, together with Neoporteria subgibbosa as 1-4 at the center, 20-30 mm long, thicker, straight
well as nearby, but growing on higher grounds to curved, longer on old plants. Flowers appear in
Horridocactus lissocarpus (Pyrrhocactus lissocarpus young areolas, 4 cm in diameter, funnel form, with
F. Ritter) and Horridocactus marksianus (F. Ritter) abundant white wool and bristles near axils; flower
Backeb. Strongly enough it reminds some of the tube short, covered with 15 mm long bristles; inner
Lobivia haematantha but only from the outside. petals silky yellowish green, external reddish;
It has a completely different character of growth cream filaments; white stamens; 4 stigma-lobes,
– with turnip shape root, and a very thick trunk 6 mm long, cream-white. Oval fruit or elongated,
submerged in the ground. The trunk is dark green, reddish, 1 cm in size, concave, fleshy at first, but
initially flat, later more spherical, 8-15 cm of soon dry and opened by partial crack from basis
diameter, easily branching and creating clusters, (similarly as Pyrrhocactus) allowing seeds to get
ribs 5-8, later to 14, 1-3 cm wide, nipples 12x10-25 out. Seeds are 1.14 x 1.12 mm, black, tuberculate,
mm. Areoles round to oval, with white wool, later not ribbed, small hilum 0.36 x0.16 mm.
summary
Pupuya - Horridocactus aspilagae.
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Pupuya - Horridocactus aspilagae. Pupuya - Horridocactus aspilagae.
Sites of H. aspillagae, though very well known for so long, are still kept in secret. It is known that
apart from the discoverers only several people were at the spot, ie. F. Ritter, F. Kattermann, A. B.
Lau or J. P. Acosta. I have been planning to find the natural habitat of those plants for a long time.
According to available literature those plants were originally found somewhere at Hacienda Tanumé
in the region of Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins (Novoa, 2002), also in the vicinity of Pupuya (Acosta y
Señoret, 2006) and to the south of Constitución in Maule region. The last ones have been described
as Eriosyce aspillagae ssp. maechleri by Helmut Walter in Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten 53(10):261
in 2002. Later the name has been corrected according to Latin declination to maechlerorum.
Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.

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We tried our luck in 2011. At first we went to a spot marked on the map as Hacienda Tanumé. It
appeared to be a wide area densely covered with planted forests. At the entrance there are buildings
where the local management resides. They are responsible for planting new forests of one kind of
a pine. Although the area is fenced, it was possible to get inside just by driving along the road that
encircles the area. We found an open entrance, got inside without hesitation and directed ourselves to
the ocean. Soon we had to left the car and continue on foot since the road was soggy and covered in
clay after last rains. Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the ocean because it was getting dark. We went
back to the car and drove back. To our surprise the gate was tight closed with padlocks, firmly set in
the ground and the fence was made from thick barbwire. It seemed that we were bound to stay there
for the night. I managed to find a spot where we could drive to and on the other side of the fence there
was a road following behind some trees. We just had to pass the fence somehow. Fortunately the soil
was soggy and we managed to pluck fence poles out. We laid a long part of the fence this way, covered
the barbwire with branches and wood planks as not to damage tyres. We went on the other side this
way and then fixed the fence back to its original state. It must have looked surprising to anyone to see
the tyre tracks going to the fence and then suddenly appearing on the other side with the fence in the
middle. Unfortunately I assume in this dense forested area there are no cacti any more or just some
remnants on open glades.

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Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae. Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.
The second place we visited was Pupuya, a village with sparse housing, spread several km along
ocean coast. I’ve chosen a short part of the coast based on former satellite map observations. We’ve
climbed almost vertical seaside rocks, yet apart from unusually big plants of Neoporteria subgibbosa
Britton & Rose and some fungi we haven’t found any mentioned cacti.
In 2014 I got some new photos from Pupuya spot to the south of Constitución. Based on those I
considered some more precise locations to be checked.

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Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum. Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.
One year later I visited the marked locations with my family. In the vicinity of Pupuya at first we
could only see N. subgibbosa and Trichocereus bolligerianus (Mächler & Helmut Walter) Albesiano,
although we happened to be in the well marked spot. After a more thorough search I’ve spotted first
specimen of H. aspillagae, then a few more. The difficulty in finding them is that they barely stick out
of the ground and grow among dry grass weeds. The next day in the morning we’ve found a lot more
of those. They grow on the exact coast cliff, high at 150m above ocean level, just before steep loose
rock hillsides, taking an area of circa 7x7 meters.
Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

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At the second spot, to the south of Constitución, we were not able to find a single specimen of H.
aspillagae ssp. maechlerorum. It might have been simply a wrong choice.
I brought some seeds from plants found at Pupuya, but they grow poorly. Fortunately I bought
some few years earlier from Florence Señoret of Spiniflores company. They grew way better and
today I have quite big though not yet flowering plants. If we compare mine and those growing in
natural habitat I must say that the former have much stronger spines. Though I assume that with
time mine will get alike.
At the end of 2017 I made another journey, part of which had focus on plants growing to the
south of the capital city. Watching satellite maps I got an idea to visit Punta de Lobos region. It is
a charming place full of tourists, which surfers are especially fond of. We had some luck in finding
a small but abundant population of H. aspillagae, which densely covered a 0.7 x 5.0 m area of a
coast. We couldn’t spot them anywhere else in the area. Full grown specimens were covered in
flower petals. The area between them (plants) were full of seedling in different grow stages. This
means that environment conditions are proper. It is just the human activity being a potential
threat to them.

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We visited southern areas of Constitución once again. This time it was farther from the ocean,
where we haven’t spot a single plant in 2014. We found a small population of Horridocactus aspillagae
ssp. maechlerorum. Plants were already flowering, which was a great sight. A spot size around 1
by 2 meters was inhabited by several plants. They differed in size from the exact type, ranging
around 10cm in diameter and height. Some botanists assume this species to be hybrid between
Horridocactus aspillagae and Horridocactus marksianus. F. Ritter also claimed those plants to be
crossbreed between H. aspillagae and Neoporteria subgibbosa. We couldn’t find any seedlings among
those, which creates a threat of being destroyed by environment conditions or simply being picked
out by collectors. Fortunately the size of those plants makes the former less likely.
Loanco - Horirdocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

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Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum. Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.
References:
• Guerrero P. (2006) - Eriosyce aspillagae – INIA - http://www.inia.cl/recursosgeneticos/bancobase/propagacion/sp/aspill.htm
• Hunt, D. (2006) – The New Cactus Lexicon
• Kattermann F. (1994) - Eriosyce (Cactac.) The genus revised and amplified; 118
• Lira, F.C. (2006) – Chloris Chilensis – http://www.chlorischile.cl/ Año 9, No1
• Lodé J. (2015) – TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE
• Novoa, P. (2002) – Chloris Chilensis - http://www.chlorischile.cl/ Año 5, No1
• Ritter F. (1980) – Kakteen in Südamerika, Band 3 Chile
• Señoret, F. & Acosta, J.P. (2013) – Cactaceas Nativas de Chile – Guia de Campo
• Sonderausgabe der DKG e.V. (2016) - Eriosyce
• Walter, H. 2002. Eriosyce aspillagae subsp. maechleri Helmut Walter, subsp. Nov. KuaS 53: 258-262

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Coryphantha potosiana
summary
(Jacobi) Glass & Foster,
a poorly known
yet critically endangered
cactus species
Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

webb: www.juanartigas.org
This is a fragment from one of the Autor’s e-Mail to the Editor:
... I realize the pictures are quite monotonous

but really there is not much to take and the effort
is quite considerable. Lately it has been harder Below the caption you can see a
flowering Echinocereus pulchellus
and harder to find them. ”venustus”
summary
I am really reluctant to send you the habitat

picture because I know some people will locate
it using it and the species is so restricted and
endangered...
Coryphantha potosiana 15
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Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis

Potosi city.
summary
Introduction
Copyphantha potosiana1 is a poorly known yet critically endangered cactus species from the highlands
of the southern part of the Chihuahuan desert, where it is endemic to a small mountainous area in
the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi.
1 - Jacobi , Georg Albano. 1856. Mammillaria potosiana (Glanduliferae). Allgemeine Gartenzeitung. 24: 92 (1856).
en or Coryphantha potosiana 16
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Potosi city.
Taxonomy in 1839 to allocate Mammillaria species with tu-

Coryphantha potosiana description was published bercles with a groove on the upper surface, such
in 1856 in the German journal Allgemeine Garten- subgenus was later invalidated by an erroneous
zeitung (General Garden Newspaper) authored by taxonomic handling and it was not used by Jaco-
Georg Albano von Jacobi (1805-1874), a Prussian bi for C. potosiana, in fact, Aulacothelae was not
infantry general, military writer and self-trained subsequently used even by its author. As a repla-
botanist. In botany, Jacobi (his botany author pseu- cement, Coryphantha was proposed as a subgenus
donym) specialized in the American succulent ge- of Mammillaria by Engelmann in 1856 (same year
nus Agave, for which he described several taxa, but of description of C. potosiana) and its full generic
he was also a keen cactus enthusiast. C. potosiana status proposed in 1868 by Lemaire.
was placed by Jacobi in the genus Mammillaria, It was not until 1970 that C. potosiana was pla-
with a type locality established in San Luis Potosi, ced by Glass & Foster in the genus Coryphantha,
Mexico. this may seem surprising for a plant that was des-
The donor of the plants used by Jacobi in the de- cribed more than a century before, but the genus
scription is not given, but the geographical origin Coryphantha had not enjoyed full recognition until
was known. 1985, when the dissertation “Systematics of the
Jacobi never visited Mexico, but for many years, genus Coryphantha (Cactaceae)” (never validly pu-
he maintained regular correspondence with the blished) was written by Allan Dale Zimmerman,
German born (immigrated in the United States) correcting previous nomenclature errors and re-
botanist George Engelmann, who was active in cognizing 46 species (Ditch & Lüthy, 2005). Nowa-
researching the flora of the Rocky Mountains and days Coryphantha groups around 57 recognized
northern Mexico. The correspondence shows they species, two subgenus and several sections. C. po-
regularly interchanged plants and seeds, and it is tosiana is classified in the subgenus Neocoryphan-
possible the provenience of the plants was one of ta Backeberg and section Neocoryphanta (Dicht &
those interchanges. No herbarium specimens are Lüthy, 2005:37).
designated as types, a regular practice at the time, According to a cladogram proposed by Dicth &
summary
when live collection specimens were used as type Lüthy (2005:36) based on morphological characte-
material. The description contains no illustration. ristics, the closest relatives of C. potosiana are C.
At the time C. potosiana was described most erecta, C. glassi, C. clavata, C. clavata ssp. stipitata,
species now in the genus Coryphantha were clas- C. jalpanensis and C. octacantha.
sified in Mammillaria. Although the subgenus Au- The specific epithet potosiana refers to the ori-
lacothelae had been proposed by Charles Lemaire gin of the plant in a Latinized form.
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Potosi city.
Description
A plant with a solitary body, globose to columnar, up to 8 cm diameter and 20 cm high, usually
solitary in situ. Tubercles to 7 mm wide at the base, to 8 mm long, rounded, flattened on top, tapering
to distal spine bearing areole, grooved, from base to areole, with several orange glands in groove,
spirally arranged. Axils initially woolly, soon naked, with orange gland. Areoles 2 mm wide, 4 mm
summary
long, rounded to 3 mm diameter with central spine, initially with wool, soon naked, spirally arranged.
Radial spines to 18, to 12 mm long, interwoven, straight, acicular, white, some with dark ends. Central
spines rarely 1, to 15 mm long, straight, acicular, stouter than radial spines, yellowish, dark at tips.
Flowers from axil at plant center, to 20 mm long and diameter, yellow with reddish center, opening
in spring. Fruits globular, 12 mm diameter, green to brown. Seeds ovoid, to 1.7 mm long, lateral
hilum, testa very lightly reticulate, shiny yellowish brown (From Fitz-Maurice, unpublished).
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Potosi city.
Distribution and habitat winter. There is little humidity in the form

C. potosiana is found in a small area in the of mist, but yearly rains (from late May to
western part of the state of San Luis Potosí, early November) drop an average of 60 cm.
west of the capital city San Luis Potosi. It grows of water.
on volcanic rhyolite acidic rocky slopes with At least three populations are known in a
grass vegetation and clusters of desert scrub at mountainous stretch of about 15 km. of length.
altitudes of 2000 to 2450 meters. C. potosiana is regularly found in patches of
The area of distribution of C. potosiana vegetation that could include Agave species
is characterized by semi-arid volcanic rock (e.g. A. salmiana) and short bushes, which
summary
mountains surrounded by oak forests with a nurse the plants and provide them with some
temperature range of -2 to 32oC through the sun protection.
year, with a wide daily variation: warm early The populations of C. potosiana are found
afternoons and cool nights, low temperatures in a confluence of the distribution areas of
in the range last no more than a few hours Coryphantha clavata, C. clavata ssp. stipitata and
in the early morning for a few days in early C. georgii. C. delicata is found sympatrically.
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Small Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis
Luis Potosi city. Potosi city.
Biology
C. potosiana produces a crown or flowers in March and April. The central area of the plant is
covered with wool and the first tubercles are found after a ring about of 2-3 cm from the center,
this is where the flowers are produced, often giving the plant the superficial resemblance of
a Mammillaria species rather than a Coryphantha. Several rings of flowers are subsequently
produced in each flowering season. Flowers are pollinated by insects.
The plant receives very little water and it is never accumulated in the roots, not only the soil
where C. potosiana grow is

very thin but also rains do
not create accumulation
at any moment, even after
strong storms, when the
soil is wet just for a few
days. The plant seems very
efficient in conserving water
gathered from rains.
Conservation
The International Union for
the Conservation of Nature
classifies C. potosiana as
Critically Endangered (Fitz-
Maurice et al., 2013). Just
three small populations of
the plant are known, and they
are susceptible to disruption
since they are not found in
any protected area. In recent
years, one of the populations
has been severely disrupted
to commercially grown
summary
pricklepear (Opuntia sp.) by

local farmers. The plants are
not numerous in any given
area and hence the risk is
Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis large to the species, since the
Potosi city. population is decreasing.
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In culture
When keeping C. potosiana in culture one
must mainly keep in mind three aspects of
its biology: The fact that the temperature
of its environment is rarely below zero, and
when it is it lasts for short periods of time
during the dry season; the fact that no water
accumulates on its roots, so a well-drained Coryphanta potosiana, both plants drown of flowers
substrate must be provided, this species is giving the appearance of a Mammillaria; west of San
also very drought resistant; and, the fact that Luis Potosi city.
the plant is regularly exposed to very strong
light, even sunlight for a few hours or the
whole days.
During winter, wild plants receive no
water and it is important to replicate this in
culture to avoid the roots to rot. Plants in
culture should be subject to strong light to
encourage the plant to grown the dense and
attractive spination of wild plants. Feeding
summary
the plants once a year at most to allow for

normal growth is also advisable.
Seeds are easily germinated using common
cactus techniques, as with other Coryphantha
species, plantlets are elongated and do not
resemble the adult plant for a couple of years.
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Coryphanta potosiana, close up of the flowers; west

of San Luis Potosi city.
References
• Dicht, R. & A. Lüthy. 2005. Coryphantha. Cacti of Mexico and
Southern USA. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany. 200 pp.
• Engelmann, George. 1856. Synopsys of the Cactaceae of
the territory of the United States and adjacent regions.
Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
3: 259-346.
• Fitz Maurice, B, Sotomayor, M. & Fitz Maurice, W.A. 2013.
Coryphantha potosiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2013: e.T152720A670183. http://dx.doi.
org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T152720A670183.en.
Downloaded on 20 May 2019.
summary
• Glass, Charles & R. Foster. 1970. Coryphantha potosiana

(Jacobi) Glass & Foster, comb. nov. Cactus and Succulents
Journal (USA). 42:266.
• Lemaire, Charles A. 1868. Les Cactées. Librairie Agricole de
la Maison Rustique, Paris.
• Zimmerman, Allan Dale. 1985. Systematics of the genus
Coryphantha (Cactaceae). Dissertation University of Texas
at Austin (unpublished).
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The genus
summary
Leptocereus in Cuba
part 2:
Leptocereus wrightii León,
resurrected from extinction
José Miguel Acuña

F
1 - Flower of Leptocereus wrightii.
or the second part of the arti- confused with L. assurgens by NL Britton, its
cle on the genus Leptocereus in description would be made several decades
Cuba, I chose only one species, later (Leon 1940).
with which (without any intention) L. wrightii, considered a local endemic of
I am closely connected. Anoth- the north coast of Havana, was initially very
summary
er Leptocereus of western Cuba, spread in areas which, time passing, under-

which grows in the coastal and went great transformations. The history of
sub-coastal xeromorphic shrub the development and urbanization of the
habitat, is Leptocereus wrightii León 1940. This main city and capital of Cuba, Havana, direct-
species was discovered in 1862 by Charles ly affected what is now considered the most
Wright in coastal areas of Havana; initially threatened cactus in Cuba.
The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 23

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2 - The coastline of El Vedado was a restricted area

in colonial times; after being completely cleared of
vegetation, now it is a modern part of Havana.
The emergence of a city its supply market was very appreciated purely
and the decline of a cactus for commercial purposes. Outside the walls,
Havana was founded in November 1519 by the city began to grow substantially between
the Spanish conquistador Diego Velásquez. the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but
summary
The small town, over the years and in the pro- the west coast was declared by the rulers a
cess conquering the rest of America, became forbidden area, especially because there grew
the collecting point of the treasures extracted a dense forest with xerophytic features and
from the continent that left in large fleets to dense thorn bushes, very practical for defen-
Spain. The heavily fortified and walled Havana sive purposes especially in case of a siege trig-
was developed on the west side of a bay, and gered by pirates or corsairs.
en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 24

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3 - Silhouette of the tall buildings of Vedado that

were built in the mid-twentieth century.
The sugar industry, the railroad and tobacco development began when the El Carmelo
led Cuba to prosper as a colony. During the ranch was parcelled. It is precisely in the Loma
mid-nineteenth century, Havana began to del Carmelo where a population of Leptocereus
expand into the restricted area of the west, is reported between 1912 and 1913 by Joseph
where new mansions were built in the new Silvestre Sauget, known by the religious name
neighbourhood called El Vedado. The urban of Brother Leo.
4 - Old populations of L. wrightii in Havana; at 5 - New localities for L. wrightii in the municipali-
right Cojimar-Villa Panamericana, municipaliti ty of Santa Cruz del Norte, province Mayabeque;
of Est Havana; at left the neighborhood of El At right Kilometer 43; at left aqueduct Boca de
Carmelo, municipality of Plaza. Jaruco.
summary

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7
During the course of the twentieth century the population
6-7 - Current views of El Carmelo in El growth generates the gradual expansion of Havana towards
Vedado and part of the buildings that
with their varied styles reflect the diffe-
the east of the bay. In an area of coastal jungle on this part
rent stages of urbanization and growth of the Havana coast Leon reports a second population of L.
of the city of Havana. These areas were wrightii in 1940. On the basis of the material collected west
the natural habitat of L. wrightii. of the fishing village of Cojimar, Leon describes this cactus in
honour of its discoverer Charles Wright (León 1940). In 1973
Alberto Areces made the last collection1 of L. wrightii on the
road between Cojimar and the new Cast Camilo Cienfuegos
(urban area consisting of high buildings in Havana del Este),
perhaps in the same place where León discovered it. The rel-
ict of coastal and sub-coastal swampy and overgrown terrain
existing in the area visited by Areces underwent a last radical
transformation. In this area a sport complex would be built,
which would accommodate the athletes participating at the
Havana Pan-American Games ‘91.
1 - Placed in herbarium with collection number (HFC 24543, 24544, 24545 –HAJB)
summary

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The populations of L. wrightii declined to criti- 8-9 - In the late 80’s, Havana is selected as the
summary
cal levels until declared extinct (Borhidi & Muñiz headquarters of the Pan American Games. The
construction of the Pan American Village in 1991,
1983). In 2005 L. wrightii had not reported for
together with the expansion of the town of Cojimar,
20 years, being considered as a result extinct in led to the clearing of the surrounding coastal wild
nature. The main cause of the presumed extinc- vegetation. With this action the last natural redoubt
tion of L. wrightii has always been related to the where L. wrightii grew was eliminated.
loss of its habitat (Gutiérrez 2005).

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10 11 12
13
10 - The main trunk is woody and it is covered by

large thorns that can be periodically renewed in the
old areolas.
11 - According to the description (León 1940), L.
wrightii is a shrub plant up to 3 meters tall, with
an erect stem of 20 cm at the base; This is the first
specimen reported in the Boca de Jaruco aqueduct,
Mayabeque.
12-13 - It is common for the main trunks to emit new
branches from the base; it is an important feature
in the survival of L. wrightii, because when the upper
branches are struck, the plant tissue begins to die
and can affect the entire branch; frequent in this
genus, adult branches also renew the spines during
the vegetative period.
Conclusions and resurgence National Botanical Garden of Havana who

As a coincidence, also in 2005, two Cuban col- made the report of a population of 10 adult
lectors and explorers, Vladimir Díaz Gámez individuals of L. wrightii. According to the
and Rodolfo Soza Díaz made a significant study, the plants grow in limestone cavities
summary
discovery. They located a small population between the xeromorphic scrub of the cliff
of Leptocereus on top of a limestone cliff in and a secondary shrub that developed also
the town of Puerto Escondido, Santa Cruz del on the summit, replacing the semi-deciduous
Norte, a municipality in the Mayabeque prov- autochthonous mesophilic forest, of which
ince (com per per. Vladimir Díaz). The finding only relicts remained. (González-Torres y Pal-
was notified to the conservation group of the marola 2006).

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14
15
14-15 - Another peculiar detail to identify L. wrightii

are the branches with 4 to 5 ribs, 5 cm in diameter at
the base, spines in numbers from 9 to 14 per areola,
1 to 4 cm in length (León 1940). It should be added
that areolas may contain more spines, 16 occasio-
nally 21.
The presence of this L. wrightii population in the nearby village of Pan de Matanzas with
a habitat with a doubtful conservation status L. scopulophilus Areces, showed that the Lep-
would support the inclusion in the Critical tocereus populations of Puerto Escondido be-
Hazard category that refers to this species in long to L. scopulophilus, a species also threat-
(Berazaín & al., 2005). Immediately started a ened, and not to L. wrightii as it was initially
summary
succession of works for scientific and pres- thought (com, per, Duniel Barrios). The exist-
ervation purposes in (González-Torres et al., ence of the two populations of L. scopulophi-
2006) and in (González-Torres, L.R. 2007), lus, recognized in Barrios (2016) is remark-
as well as activities aimed at environmental ably valuable and we will perceive this aspect
education (Palmarola 2009). However, stud- in another article dedicated to L. scopulophi-
ies that were being carried out in parallel in lus in habitat.

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16-18 - The flowers are very attractive, 5 to 6.5 cm
long; cylindrical lower tepals, with 12 to 20 spines
summary
per areolas, approximately 1 cm long; the tepals are

oblong, red-pink and yellow at the base; stigmas in
numbers from 12 to 15, linear, from 4 to 5 mm; cor-
respond to the description made by León 1940.
16 17
In 2014, Guillermo, an enthusiastic cactus 18
friend, visited my house. He observed my col-

lection and then he stops in front of a Leptoce-
reus maxonii, a plant from the south-eastern
region of Cuba. At this point he told me that
he had seen a similar plant near the aqueduct
of Boca de Jaruco in Santa Cruz del Norte. I
asked him to guide me (quite disbelieving),
because if it were a Leptocereus, this would be
L. wrightii, considering its location. Days later
I was standing in the front of an unmistaka-
ble L. wrightii, even if I didn’t quite believe it.
I informed Duniel Barrios and we met to visit
what I was considering the only living plant
summary
of L. wrightii. Duniel was very happy with the

discovery, and confides in me the existence Garden of Havana on the coast of Santa Cruz
of another plant located only a few years ago del Norte, was conducted during a survey and
at kilometre 43 of the highway that goes from counting work of Pilosocereus. Fact is that the
Havana to Matanzas. The finding made by the two L. wrightii plants are placed less than two
conservation group of the National Botanical kilometres apart.

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19
20
19 - Flower in L. wrightii of kilometer 43; with the

observation of the flowers in more than 10 indivi-
duals of L. wrightii, it could be determined that the
coloration fluctuates between pink and light yellow,
going through light orange tones that are sometimes
the predominant color; In general, the color of the
21
outer part of the outer upper tepals is darker.
20-22 - Another aspect to highlight in the flowers of
22
L. wrightii is that the floral tube has two colors, green
in the lower half and goes from orange to purple
pink in the upper part; this distinction is also obser-
ved in the floral buttons.
At first accompanied by Duniel Barrios, and then by

Yohans Magdaleno and Lázaro Zardiñas, we made un-
summary
successful searches to discover more L. wrightii speci-

mens in the vicinity of the plant, in the locality we call
the aqueduct of Boca de Jaruco (Barrios et al., 2015).
The area is not very large, but it is vegetated by dense
and thorny plants, with a high presence of the stinging
Clomocadia dentata.

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23
24
23-24 - Ovoid fruits up to 10 cm, in correspon-

dence with the description (León 1940).
25-26 - In the flowers of L. wrightii, the anthesis
was observed between 10 pm and 11 pm; These
partially diurnal flowers remain open until 8:00
AM and 10:30 AM.
25 26
My target was to photograph L. wrightii in nus do not self-fertilize. But, where should I
summary
habitat for Taxonomy of the Cactaceae by Joël look in the tangle of vegetation? In April 2016
Lodé, I returned with stubbornness to the aq- I repeated the visit again and fortunately the
ueduct of Boca de Jaruco in May 2015. This plant had open flowers, I visited the speci-
time I would be surprised by the presence of men found at kilometre 43, also with flowers
fruits. Obviously there should be more speci- that opened that night and I managed to pho-
mens of Leptocereus, since flowers of that ge- tograph it.

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27 28
27-28 - The dense undergrowth of the sub-coastal

xeromorphic scrub in the Boca de Jaruco aqueduct
makes it difficult to photograph these less graceful
plants but of high value for botany in the Caribbean
region.
The next visit was made in May 2018, in the straight line to the east, there were not one,
company of Juan Carlos Daguerre, a friend but three specimens of L. wrightii, full of flowers
very fond of cacti. The aqueduct plant did not and fruits. In less than one hectare, my friend
have flowers or fruits; it was badly damaged located that day in half an hour 14 different
due to the passage of Hurricane Irma through individuals of L. wrightii, always travelling in a
the north of Cuba. I tell my friend the useless straight line to the east; it was incredible. He
searches for more L. wrightii in the vicinity. only indicated that on previous occasions we
summary
Without thinking twice Juan Carlos enters the had walked in the wrong directions and that we
thick jungle and after a while announces me, had practically passed the Leptocereus popula-
I found another one! In this area Harrisia erio- tion without noticing them, looking for some-
phora is very abundant and as my friend is a thing that was hidden before our eyes. It was
neophyte in the cactus subject, I thought he very gratifying to witness such a discovery that
was confused. Walking about 20 meters, in a had been waiting for some time.

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29 30
31 32
29 - At Kilometer 43 the lowest vegetation near the

coast makes this lonely specimen more visible.
30-32 - The natural relict where the small population
of L. wrightii grows in Boca de Jaruco is subject to
grazing and is totally unprotected; just a few meters
away the scarce productive land of the area is used
in agriculture and beyond the fences, the new settle-
ments do not presage a happy ending.
In this way L. wrightii has finally come to light, lectors, thanks to the work of Ramiro Chávez
summary
and having the genetic potential to produce who donated the first offshoots during the
seedlings with an attempt for future reintro- 2nd Cuban Cactus Conservation Workshop in
duction and with the purpose of conserving 2015. There are currently several seedbeds
and protecting this cactus that today contin- achieved and with the dissemination of seeds
ues to exist on the verge of extinction. Cut- to other regions of the world the permanence
tings had already spread among several col- of that species can be guaranteed.

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33 34
35
33 - The threat at kilometer 43 comes from the

annual burning of the highway’s edges, the fire
reaches only 5 meters. A few months later the herbs
invade the space next to Acasia farnesiana and Agave
foucroydes.
34 - Liguus fasciatus surprised when it is feeding on a
necrotized stem of L. wrightii.
35 - Small L. wrightii that may have been born by
seeds, although it is difficult to determine because
they can sprout from broken cuttings.
Due to the scarce populations of L. wrightii, dustry that has had a sustained development
although they have been removed from the in the surroundings. Perhaps there are more
summary
list of extinct plants, this species’ status is still scattered specimens along the north western
considered as critically endangered (González- coast, such as those reported in Areces-Mallea
Oliva 2015 et al). (2018), located in the small bay Ortigosa in the
The number of individuals is very low, the current Artemisa province.
localities in addition to the mentioned threats, The way to recover the L. wrightii species is
are under pressure from the petrochemical in- long and studies have just begun.

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References:
• Areces-Mallea, A. 2018. New taxa of Leptocereus
(Cactaceae: Cactoideae) from western Cuba. Cactus
& Succulent Journal. Vol.90. 4: 258-266.
• Barrios, D., González-Torres, L. R., Palmarola, A. y
Acuña, J.M. 2015. Bissea 9 (número especial 4): 213-
214
• Barrios, D. 2016. Contribuciones a la conservación
de la flora del Pan de Matanzas. Bissea 10 (número
especial 1): 78
• Berazaín, R., Areces, F., Lazcano, L. C., González-Tor-
res, L. R. 2005. Lista roja de la flora vascular cubana. 36 - The author with a L. wrightii at the Kilometer 43
– Documentos del Jardín Botánico Atlántico Gijón 4: of the road Habana-Matanzas
1-86.
• Borhidi, A. & Muñiz, O. 1983. Catálago de plantas cu-
banas amenazadas o extinguidas. Academia de Cien- • González-Oliva, L. et al. (Eds.). 2015. Lista roja de la
cia de Cuba. La Habana. flora de Cuba. Bissea 9 (NE4):92.
• González-Torres, L. R. y Palmarola, A. 2006 Hallazgo • Gutiérrez, J. E. 2005. Leptocereus wrightii. En:
de Leptocereus wrightii en Puerto Escondido. Revista González-Torres, L.R., A. Palmarola, A. Rodríguez.
del Jardín Botánico Nacional 27: 147-148. (eds). Memorias del Taller de Conservación de Cac-
• González-Torres, L. R., Palmarola, A., Echemendía, tus Cubanos. Jardín Botánico Nacional. Universidad
summary
Y. & Barrios, D. 2007. Conservation of Leptocereus de La Habana. 23-25 de Marzo de 2005. Ed. Feijóo,
scopulophilus and L. wrightii, two endemic cacti from Santa Clara: 43-44.
Cuba. Cactus World. Special Issue: 15-20. • León, H. 1940. Contribución al estudio de las cactá-
• González -Torres, L. R. 2007. Action Plan for the Con- ceas de Cuba. II. El Leptocereus de Cojimar. –Mem.
servation of Cuban Cacti. Proyect submitted in part Soc. Cub. Hist. Nat. “Felipe Poey” 14: 133-137.
fulfillment of the requirements for the Kew Interna- • Palmarola, A. 2006. Regresa Leptocereus wrightii a
tional Diploma in Plant Conservation Strategies. las costas de La Habana. Bissea, Vol.3 No.1

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Tucson Area
summary
Opuntia
The Pricklypears
Dave Ferguson Joe Shaw

Albuquerque, NM Germantown, MD
davef@opuntiads.com jshaw@opuntiads.com
T
hese are Opuntia species that grow to varied growing conditions. This makes quan-
naturally within the greater Tucson, tifying their vegetative traits rather a slippery slope,
Arizona area. They can be found because the same plant can look totally different
within 30 miles of the city limits. when growing in different locations. Identification
Most of these species are unstudied of these plants in the field is more easily done when
or little studied. A number were de- whole populations of individuals are surveyed.
scribed about 100 years ago and More information on these Opuntia species is
then little noticed since then. Some available at Opuntia Web.
summary
of the most often used English common names are It is a common belief that hybridization is ram-
given here, but most species will also have Spanish pant in the group and that many of the confusing
common names that it has proven difficult to sort “types” are hybrids. However, when one spends
to individual species. time learning them in the field, it becomes appa-
Opuntias are plastic in morphology, with vege- rent that nearly all plants belong to well-defined
tative characteristics that can be alter in response populations and that real hybrids are infrequent.
Tucson Area Opuntia 37 - XEROPHILIA • Volume VIII, No. 1 (25), August 2019 | ISSN 2285-3987
Native Species
summary
in alphabetical order
Opuntia arizonica Griffiths,

Arizona Pricklypear, Valencia Pricklypear
summary
Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden 29: more spiny, generally with several spines per
93-94, pl.2 and 10, 1909. areole in nearly all areoles. It is very abundant
Type locality: near Kirkland, Arizona in the Tucson area, particularly on the lower
This species is best described as a somewhat outwash slopes of the mountains. It is abundant
smaller, low spreading version of O. engelmannii. along the loop drive in the east unit of the
As compared to O. engelmannii, it is also usually Saguaro National Park.
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
Opuntia 38
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Opuntia basilaris Engelmann and Bigelow,
summary
Beavertail Cactus
summary
Proceedings of the American Academy 3: typical variety basilaris.

298, 1857. This distinctive spineless species with pink to
Type locality: Cactus Pass, east of Kingman, magenta flowers is found in the desert, mostly
Arizona in the mountains, mostly well westward from
A number of varieties have been named, the Tucson area, but plants have been recorded
but native Tucson area plants are referred to from nearby.
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
Opuntia 39
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Opuntia blakeana Rose,
summary
Blake Pricklypear
summary
Contributions from the U.S. National spines relatively few, short, and usually brown.
Herbarium 12: 402, 1909. Stem color is often dark and sometimes purplish
Type locality: Tumamoc Hill, Tucson, Arizona or bluish. This taxon is related to O. phaeacantha
This species grows as low spreading plants and O. camanchica, but recognizably distinct.
with small relatively narrow pads that are often Apparently, it only grows in the Santa Cruz
a bit squared off at the tip. Areoles are small, basin of Arizona.
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
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Opuntia camanchica Engelmann and Bigelow,
summary
Comanche Pricklypear
Proceedings of the American Academy of tend to be wide, thickish, with areoles widely
Arts and Sciences 3: 293, 1856/1857. spaced, and spines stout. Spines are often
Type locality: near Cuervo, New Mexico dark at least at the base but may be any color
Synonyms: O. phaeacantha var. brunnea from white or pale yellow to dark red, dark
Engelmann 1856; O. chihuahuensis Rose 1909. purple, brown, or black. Flowers are yellow,
O. camanchaca is a common, widespread, often orange or red in the center, with stigmas
summary
variable species found widely in the usually pale. Fruit is smallish and ovoid.
Southwest and northern Mexico. It is often This species is found almost everywhere
identified as O. phaeacantha var. major, which below the mountains that isn’t too dry, from
is a distinctly different and larger plant (i.e., western Texas to southern California, and
O. dulcis). It is similar to O. phaeacantha, also from southern Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
being a low-spreading smallish plant. Pads south well into northern Mexico.
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
Opuntia 41
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Opuntia cañada Griffiths,
summary
Canyon Pricklypear
Annual report Missouri Botanical Garden while they are strongly so in O. orbiculata, but
20: 90, 1909. this needs verified. This species seems to be
Type locality: Florida Canyon., Santa Rita in mountain areas and sometimes the valleys
summary
Mountains, Arizona between, only in south-central Arizona and

Synonyms: ?O. flavescens Peebles 1937. northern Sonora. O. cañada is not as cold hardy
This species is closely related to and similar as O. orbiculata. O. flavescens from near Sells
to O. orbiculata but with pads usually narrower, seems to be a synonym, as significant differences
spines fewer, and with fruit often pale in color haven’t been noticed, except fruits are darker
(not always). Seedlings are apparently not hairy, than those from the Santa Rita Mountain plants.
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
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Opuntia chlorotica Engelmann and Bigelow
summary
O. chlorotica var. chlorotica,

Pancake Cactus / Pricklypear
Proceedings of the American Academy of and spineless individuals. Flowers on all are
Arts and Sciences 3: 291, 1856. bright yellow, only rarely with reddish centers.
Type locality: Bill Williams Mountain, Ari- The Mexican O. setispina Engelmann, with
zona grayish pads and usually white spines, is also a
This is a widespread bushy medium-sized member of this group, and is the oldest name
tree-like species (though it can be relatively (Engelmann, 1850). Our U.S. varieties will likely
small or in exceptional cases can reach more eventually be treated as varieties under this
than 8-ft/2,5m tall) of the southwestern US name.
summary
and northern Mexico. It takes on several • var. chlorotica, Pancake Cactus / Pricklypear
appearances, mostly based on differing Synonyms: O. palmeri Engelmann ex Coulter
coloration and size. The plants have been 1896.
divided by some into different species, but This is the northern variety, with yellow
these blend where-ever they meet and behave spines and green pads. Fruits are large and
as varieties. All varieties produce both spiny usually bright red.
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O. chlorotica var. gosseliniana (Weber) Ferguson
Cactus and Succulent Journal (U.S.) 60: 159, even smaller. It is found in the Sonoran Desert
1988. and in tropical deciduous scrub, mostly further
summary
Original description: O. gosseliniana Weber, west or south than var. santa-rita. It occurs in the
Bull. Soc. Acclim. France 49: 83, 1902. United Sates, but only in a limited area, and only
Type locality: coast of Sonora, Mexico. some wild plants to the south and southwest
This is basically a petit version of var. santa- of the Tucson area approach this variety. The
rita in which the spines are even more slender, garden cultivars named ‘Tubac’ and ‘Pinta Rita’
sometimes almost hair-like, and fruits average seem closer to this variety than to var. santa-rita.
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O. chlorotica var. santa-rita Griffiths and Hare,

Purple Pricklypear
New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station the same as var. chlorotica and may be the
summary
Bulletin 60: 64, 1906. same color, but usually pads tend to bluish or
Type locality: Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona purplish.
Synonyms: O. shreveana C.Z. Nelson 1915 Spines (if present) are usually more slender,
This taxon is found in the western Sonoran often longer, and more often reddish or
Desert in Arizona, Sonora, and a little bit in brownish in color. Fruits are smaller and more
Chihuahua and New Mexico. It is basically purplish or pinkish.
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Opuntia confusa Griffiths,
summary
Confusing Pricklypear
Proceedings of the Biological Society of them. Other pads will have only the small
Washington 27(6): 28, 1914. spines and one or two whitish spines that point
Type locality: Tumamoc Hill, Tucson, Arizona almost straight down. There are sometimes
This is a common species in the Tucson area, intermediate conditions. Glochids are often very
and is known only from south-central Arizona prominent and usually dark reddish in color.
into adjacent Sonora, and also from a small The flowers are showy, opening yellow with fine
population near Las Cruces in New Mexico. It orange veining, deepening in color as they age
is a relatively low bushy species with rounded until orange or nearly red. When yellow first-
pads that tend to be grayish in color, with spines day flowers are mixed with older varied-colored
summary
appearing black and white (actually deep brown flowers, the show can be incredible.
and cream). The spines are produced in two The name comes from the fact that Joseph
arrangements, often on the same plant. Some Nelson Rose confused David Griffiths’ name
pads will have three or more long stout angular “arizonica” for Tumamoc Hill plants that were
spines radiating from the areoles, typically with of the wrong species, ones that Griffiths would
some radiating small whitish spines around later name as O. confusa.
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Opuntia discata Griffiths,
summary
Disk Pricklypear; Bird-foot Pricklypear
Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden 19: may change to red before they
266, 1908. close. Fruits are rounded, often
Type locality: Florida Canyon., Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona. a bit lumpy, dark, and sweet.
summary
This is a large and bushy, rigidly woody plant with wide The plant is usually smaller
rounded often bluish, and often “wavy” pads that have pale than similar species such as O.
spines that are up to roughly an inch long. Spines are stout engelmannii and O. orbiculata,
and radiate out in a distinctive “bird’s-foot” pattern. Spines but the pads are often larger.
are fairly erect and do not curve back towards the pad. This is one of the species with
Flowers are bright yellow with deep green stigmas, but they hairy seedlings.
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Opuntia dulcis Engelmann,
summary
Sweet Pricklypear
Proceedings of the American Academy of It has spines, flowers, and fruits more like
Arts and Sciences 3: 291, 1856. O. phaeacantha, but the flowers and fruits
Type locality: near Presidio, Texas. are larger. The areoles are small with neatly
summary
Synonyms: O. eocarpa Griffiths 1916; O. and tightly arranged glochids. On new pads,
expansa Griffiths 1916 glochids typically occur in a tight central clump
A relatively large bushy species (sometimes and a surrounding tight ring of different length.
lower and spreading) with large pads for the Spines tend to be whitish with brownish bases
size of the plant. It is often confused with but can be dark or yellowish. This is a common
immature specimens of O. engelmannii. species in the Tucson area.
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Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelmann
summary
O. engelmannii var. engelmannii

Engelmann Pricklypear
Boston Journal of Natural History 6(2): 207, large size. Mature plants are upright and 1-2.5
1850. m tall and typically form a dense plant. Plants
Type locality: between El Paso, Texas and may be taller than wide, however some plants
Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. spread and are much wider than tall. It usually
Synonyms: O. recurvospina Griffiths 1916; ? O. has obovate pads that have large areoles and a
procumens Engelmann and Bigelow 1856 [this variable number of stout, flattened, spreading
could be an older name for O. arizonica instead, spines, usually with at least one erect main
but type specimens and plants observed at the spine. Some plants may be quite spiny and
type locality – Aztec Pass – favor the specific others nearly spineless. Spines are usually
epithet, engelmannii]. Many other names have white to yellowish or buff with darker bases.
summary
been referred to this species that don’t belong. However, some plants may have entirely dark
A name widely misapplied to nearly any spines. The fruit is large ovoid, dark, juicy and
large, medium-large, or bushy Opuntia of sweet. Flowers bright yellow with faint orange
the U.S.A or northern Mexico. Other species veining (sometimes the flowers turn orange in
are more abundant, but this one has a wide age). Stigmas are green. Seedlings are hairy—a
distribution and is easily observed due to its distinctive feature of some species.
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Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelmann
summary
O. engelmannii var. flavispina (L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt & Pinkava

Yellow-spine Pricklypear
Madrono 35(4): 348, 1988 [1989]. look more yellowish because of the yellow
Type locality: Alamo Canyon, Ajo Mountains, spines.
Arizona. The spines are yellowish to bright yellow,
summary
Alternatively treated as O. phaeacantha var. sometimes dark at the base, long, sometimes
flavispina. The status as a full species is not twisting, usually with most areoles having one
formally published. However, it is distinct, erect or somewhat deflexed spine distinctly
and we consider it to be a species. It is a longer than the rest. The flowers are quite
moderately large, spreading, bushy plant. showy bright yellow. Hairy seedlings have not
The pads are often yellowish-green and may been seen, but lack of this trait is not verified.
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Opuntia gilvescens Griffiths,
summary
Bajada Pricklypear
Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical in most of the other similar native species, with
Garden 20: 87, 1909 few relatively slender short spines. Spines are
Type locality: near Florida Canyon, Santa Rita generally 2-3 cm long and typically some shade
Mountains, Arizona. of white to brownish or gray in color.
Perhaps there are more than one species The ovaries and fruit have more areoles than
or varieties included here, because there is average (to match the pads). The flowers are
summary
variation over its large range, but the plants are large and often a bit ruffled, usually with pale
similar overall. These are low, spreading, bushy green stigmas and often just a touch of brassy
plants, sometimes up to waste high, but more orange in the center.
often half that, with relatively large pads that This is a common widespread species that
may turn purplish or brownish-purple when is always called something else. Seedlings are
stressed. Small areoles are closer together than not hairy.
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Opuntia laevis Coulter,
summary
Spineless Pricklypear, Glossy Pricklypear,

Smooth Pricklypear, Tulip Pricklypear
Contributions from the U. S. National However, the pads of O. cañada are wider
Herbarium 3: 419, 1896. and the fruit is rounder. Usually O. cañada is
Type locality: Canyons, Santa Catalina spiny. Seeds of O. laevis are generally larger.
Mountains, Arizona. Seedlings are not hairy, whereas those of O.
summary
A distinctive nearly spineless species with cañada may be hairy (?).

mostly narrow, generally spineless pads, and O. laevis often grows on rock outcroppings,
longish, narrow fruit. It is known only from canyon walls, or in the rubble at their base.
mountains of southern Arizona and northern People seem to like to give this cactus common
Sonora. This taxon can be confused with O. names, there are numerous different ones
cañada. The two are and often found together. published.3
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Opuntia lubrica Griffiths,
summary
Smooth Pricklypear
Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical flowers are larger. The epidermis is smooth
Garden 21: 169, 1910. and fairly shiny, and the glochids are mostly
Type locality: near Alonso, San Luis Potosi. yellow to orange or rusty red, instead of white
Synonyms: ?O. × andersonii H.M. Hernández, to dark reddish brown or black of O. rufida.
Hinostrosa and Bárcenas 2003 (This name The species was described from northeastern
seems to belong to a redescription of O. Mexico, where it could also be derived from
lubrica.). O. microdasys hybridizing with other species
There is an interesting puzzle here. Is this (perhaps O. cacanapa?). It is unclear whether
summary
taxon native to the Tucson area or not? It is Mexican and Arizona populations are the same,
highly variable here (pads varying from green to but they are quite similar. Mexican plants are
purple), but it does grow wild over a fairly large bright green and sometimes a bit yellowish.
area. Could it be a hybrid of O. microdasys with Some plants have a few thin yellowish spines.
other native species? It is much like O. rufida Both Mexican and native plants are grown in
in appearance, but larger on average, and the gardens in the Tucson area.
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Opuntia macrocentra Engelmann,
summary
Black-spine Pricklypear
Proceedings of the American Academy of that are often even blacker. The two-tone
Arts and Sciences 3: 292, 1856 [1857]. yellow and red flowers average more intense in
Type locality: El Paso, Texas. coloring. It occurs mostly north of Mexico from
summary
Synonyms: O. violacea (Engelmann) B.D. West Texas and New Mexico to southeastern
Jackson 1895 Arizona. A majority of similar garden plants
This species can sometimes be difficult to are O. azurea. The name “Opuntia violacea”
differentiate from most varieties of O. azurea is commonly applied to almost any purple-
(not found in the Tucson area), but generally padded pricklypear, but is properly considered
the pads have more areoles and thicker spines only a synonym of this species.
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Opuntia orbiculata Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiffer,
summary
Round-pad Pricklypear
Enumeratio diagnostica cactearum hucusque pads (only occasionally wavy) that may be
cognitarum 156, 1837. dark, bluish or sometimes yellowish green.
Type locality: unknown; incorrectly cited Areoles are small except on spiniest plants,
as “Chile”; original plants of a type found in with glochids usually short and neat on younger
southwestern North America; perhaps from pads. Spines are relatively slender and relatively
northern Mexico. short (usually not much over 1 inch) and one or
Synonyms: ? O. crinifera Salm-Dyck 1837; ? few (or none) per areole. Spine color varies, but
O. crinifera lanigera Pfeiffer 1837; ? O. senilis they are typically yellowish or whitish, often with
summary
J. Parmenteer ex Pfeiffer; ? O. cantabrigiensis darker bases. Glochids are usually dark. This
Lynch 1903 [a confused and apparently widely is confused with O. engelmannii in Arizona and
misapplied name]; O. dillei Griffiths 1909 New Mexico and with O. lindheimeri in Texas.
This species is common and widespread in It ranges from the greater Dallas area to the
northern Mexico and the southwestern US. This mountains of southern California and Nevada.
is a large bushy species with mostly rounded This is one of the species with hairy seedlings.
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Opuntia phaeacantha Engelmann,
summary
Brown-spine Pricklypear
Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts winter as some of the even smaller northern
and Science n.s. 4(1): 51, 1849. species, but can become limp and flop over on
Type locality: near Rio Grande, west of Santa its sides in very cold temperatures. Areoles are
Fe, New Mexico. small and moderately far apart on obovate or
Synonyms: O. phaeacantha var. nigricans round pads that are often dull green. Spines
Engelmann 1856; O. phaeacantha var. piercei vary tremendously in color, but pale tips with
Fosberg 1934. Many other names have been brownish bases are normal.
summary
referred to this species that don’t belong. Flowers vary a lot in color too, but yellow
This has been the catch-all name for almost is most common, often with orange or red
everything that is smaller than O. engelmannii. centers. It is widespread in all but the hotter
The real plant is low, spreading, and small. It is parts the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts in
not at all woody (unlike many species of similar Arizona, but becomes rare at lower hotter
or larger size). It usually doesn’t shrivel much in elevations.
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Opuntia pottsii Salm-Dyck
summary
O. pottsii var. pottsii,

Potts Pricklypear, Delicate Pricklypear
Cacteae in Horto Dyckensi Cultae Anno 1849 Apache County near Zuni, NN or north of
236, 1850. Kayenta, but no plants have been seen. It does
Type locality: near Chihuahua, Chihuahua, not occur near Tucson).
Mexico. • var. pottsii, Potts Pricklypear, Delicate
This is a small clumping plant with an enlarged Pricklypear
tuberous taproot that often reproduces by Synonyms: O. filipendula Engelmann 1856; O.
slender rhizomes, found mostly in silt flats, ballii Rose 1911; O. delicata Rose 1911.
grasslands and mountain woodlands. The Small flowers with slender ovaries tend to
pads vary in shape and color depending on the not open widely, usually have pale whitish
variety. Every population looks a little different, stigmas, and vary in color from yellow (often
summary
and the species is found statewide except in red in middle) through oranges and pinks to
the Sonoran Desert in the southwest. pure red or magenta. Slender fruits are usually
This species is usually misidentified in somewhat stipitate and vary in color when ripe
Arizona as O. macrorhiza, but that is a low from green or yellowish to deep purplish red,
creeping species, mostly found on sand, which but are most often orangey or pinkish. A thick
is not verified to occur in Arizona (it may enter elongate central taproot is characteristic.
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Opuntia pottsii Salm-Dyck
summary
O. pottsii var. montana (Engelmann) Bulot,

Mountain Pricklypear
summary
Succulentes 25, numero special: 40, 2002. Mountain plants with wide pads and shorter
Type locality: Sandia Mountains, New Mexico. ovaries can be referred to as O. pottsii variety
Synonyms: O. plumbea Rose 1908; O. loomisii montana. This variety usually has a wide, often
Peebles 1939. nearly globe-shaped central taproot.
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Opuntia riparia Griffiths,
summary
Arroyo Pricklypear
Proceedings of the Biological Society of There are usually spines that are stout and
Washington 27(6): 26, 1914. spreading in all of the areoles, usually white
Type locality: above Florida Canyon., Santa and often with darker bases. Plants average
Rita Mountains, Arizona. up to waist high, and often grow into sprawling
This species is found near the upper edge of thickets.
summary
the desert from north of Phoenix to Superior It is the most abundant wild pricklypears
and south to near Nogales; perhaps into Sonora in the area of Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
and also near Alamogordo, NM. O. riparia is While only occasional in the Tucson area, it can
roughly a smaller version of O. engelmannii, be quite abundant in the rapidly developing
about half the size, but with usually distinctly northeast part of the city. It does not have
narrow pads, narrower fruits and larger seeds. hairy seedlings.
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Opuntia tortispina Engelmann and Bigelow,
summary
Desert Grassland Pricklypear, Twist-spine Pricklypear
Proceedings of the American Academy of often pale green to white in O. phaeacantha).

Arts and Sciences 3: 293, 1856 [1857]. Compared to O. phaeacantha this species
Type locality: Camanche Plains [site of averages smaller with areoles closer together,
present day Lake Meredith near Borger, Texas]. spines more numerous and a bit less stout,
Synonyms: O. charlestonensis Clokey 1943 flowers larger, and fruit smaller.
[There is evidence that this is of hybrid origins.] This is primarily a grassland species, wide-
summary
This taxon is similar to O. cymochila (a more spread in all but the Sonoran and Mojave De-
northeasterly species) on one hand, and to O. sert parts of Arizona. In the Tucson area it is
phaeacantha on the other. Flowers and fruits occasional in the grasslands of more level areas
are like those of O. phaeacantha. The flowers to the east and at higher elevations. Despite
are varied in color, often with darker centers, the name, it no more often has twisted spines
and with stigmas always green (stigmas are than do most other species.
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Opuntia toumeyi Rose,
summary
Toumey Pricklypear
Contributions from the U. S. National are occasionally roundish. Areoles are widely
Herbarium 12: 402, 1909. spaced and small on younger pads. Larger
Type locality: Tumamoc Hill, Tucson, Arizona. spines are usually distinctly brownish, and one
This is another smaller Opuntia that is lumped or sometimes more spines are distinctly longer
into O. phaeacantha because guide books to than the others and point straight out from the
summary
not describe it. It is a spreading somewhat areoles. The longer spines are often twisting
bushy plant, not too tall, averaging about knee and often over 2 inches/5cm long. Flowers are
high, with pads relatively large for its stature. relatively large and yellow, sometimes orange
It is common in the greater Tucson area, but or red in the center. Fruits are similar to those of
seems to grow nowhere else. Pads are usually O. phaeacantha and O. camanchica but average
distinctly longer than wide and obovate, but they larger and a bit narrower
en or Tucson
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Opuntia valida Griffiths,
summary
Valida Pricklypear
Proceedings of the Biological Society of These are generally medium-large stiff bushes
Washington 27: 24, 1914. about 1 to 1.5 m high and wide, with pads
Type locality: near San Antonio, New Mexico. longer than wide, typically obovate but often
Plants of this type are rarely found in rhomboid, often bluish, with several relatively
the immediate Tucson area, but are more stout flattened longish spines per areole, and
commonly seen in lower mountains and with spines increasing in number and length on
sometimes in the desert to the north and older trunks.
west. They can be abundant in the Organ Pipe, Trunks of O. engelmannii become less spiny
Phoenix, and Kingman areas. Typical plants with age, while they become more so on
summary
occur in the Rio Grande and Pecos drainages O. valida. In the Tucson area O. engelmannii
in New Mexico and Texas. Arizona plants tend tends to be a larger and taller plant, but with
to be somewhat lighter in spine, glochid, and somewhat smaller and thicker pads. Fruits
areole coloring than eastern plants, and spines on O. valida tend to be more elongate with a
may be more slender and longer on average. sharper rim at the top, often somewhat spiny,
However, the two are quite similar otherwise. and often earlier ripening.
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Introduced Species
summary
Opuntia lindheimeri Engelmann,

Texas Pricklypear
Boston Journal of Natural History 6: 207, red). Fruit is more likely to have a neck, more
1850. likely to be rounded at the top instead of pitted,
Type locality: New Braunfels, Texas. and less likely to have a waxy bloom. They are
Synonyms: O. ferruginispina Griffiths 1908; also of a more sour flavor. This species is found
O. linguiformis Griffiths 1908; O. subarmata naturally almost entirely east of the Pecos River
Griffiths 1909 [This last could be considered in New Mexico and Texas, but it is a common
as a distinct robust variety from near-desert garden plant in Tucson, and is sometimes seen
areas.] Many other names have been referred growing as if native, especially along arroyos
to this species that don’t belong. where there is more moisture. This is one of
O. lindheimeri is similar to O. engelmannii with the species with hairy seedlings.
the same growth habit, but a bit “softer”and The garden cultivar ‘Linguiformis’ - the ‘Cow’s
summary
more inclined to flop over during drought or Tongue’ or ‘Lengua de Vaca’ - is a mutant form
severe cold. Pads are usually a richer green, with indeterminate stems that can revert to
and spines (if present) are yellow, sometimes normal growth. There is also a robust nearly
reddish at the base (or reddish with yellow tips). spineless cultivar of this species commonly
Flowers are typically a deeper brighter yellow grown in gardens that was the basis for David
(or they may occasionally be bright orange or Griffiths’ Opuntia subarmata.
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Opuntia microdasys (Lehmann) Pfeiffer,
summary
Bunny Ears
summary
Cactus microdasys Lehmann, Semina in Synonyms: O. pulvinata De Candolle 1828; O.

Horto Botanico Hamburgensi o Index Seminum macrocalyx Griffiths 1908
(Hamburg) 16, 1827. Enumeratio Diagnostica Everyone knows the “Bunny Ears”.
Cactearum 154, 1837. It is sometimes found growing in wild patches
Type locality: Hidalgo, Mexico. as if it is native.
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Garden Species
summary
Opuntia woodsii, garden plant (Photo taken from the

webbsite www.opuntiads.com
Tucson is an ideal climate for growing most spineless with huge wavy and undulate-
Prickypears, and many species of Opuntia edged pads.)
are grown in area gardens and landscapes. • O. dillenii
Conceivably almost any of them could turn up • O. elata
growing as if wild, particularly in a place where • O. ficus-indica (incl. O. megacantha and
garden waste has been dumped in the past. In several other synonyms and cultivars)
general though, plants found growing in the • O. gomei (usually mislabeled as O. alta)
wild are native species. • O. leucotricha
Some of the most commonly grown non- • O. monacantha
native species include the following, but there • O. pilifera
are many more: • O. polyacantha (mostly plants of var.
• O. aciculata (incl. O. flexospina) erinacea [or ursina types])
• O. azurea • O. quimilo (= O. distans)
• O. bergeriana • O. robusta
• O. bonaerensis (usually called O. • O. rufida
summary
paraguayensis) • O. scheeri
• O. cacanapa cv. ‘Ellisiana’ • O. stenopetala
• O. (Nopalea) cochenillifera • O. streptacantha
• O. cv. ‘Old Mexico’ (species unknown, it • O. tomentosa
shows similarities to O. gomei, but perhaps • O. vaseyi
is more related to O. dillenii. It is basically • O. woodsii
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
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Opuntia rufida, flower of a garden plant (Photo ta-

ken from the webbsite www.opuntiads.com
References • Griffiths, D., 1914, New Species of Opuntia, Proceedings of

• Benson, L., 1982, The Cacti of the United States and Canada, the Biological Society of Washington. v. 27. p. 23
Stanford University Press. 1044 pp. • Griffiths, D.,1916, New Species of Opuntia, Proceedings of the
• Benson, L. and A.A. Nickol, 1940, The Cacti of Arizona, Univer- Biological Society of Washington v. 29. p. 9.
sity of Arizona Press; First Edition. 134 pp. • Griffiths, D. and R.F. Hare, 1906. Prickly Pear and Other Cacti
• Britton, N.L. and J.N. Rose, 1919, The Cactaceae, v. 1, Carnegie as Food for Stock II, New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Sta-
Institution of Washington, Gibson Brothers Press. tion Bulletin 60.
• Coulter, J.M, 1894, Preliminary revision of the North American • Powell, A.M. and J.F. Weedin, 2004, ‘Cacti of the Trans-Pe-
species of Echinocactus, Cereus, and Opuntia, Contributions cos and Adjacent Areas’, Texas Tech University Press. ISBN:
to the U.S. National Herbarium 3: 355-466. 0896725316, 978-0896725317
• Crook, R. and R. Mottram, 1995-2005, Opuntia Index (Parts • Rose, J.N., 1909, New Species of Opuntia from Arizona, Con-
1-11), Bradleya v. 13 to v. 23. tributions to the U.S. National Herbarium 12(9): 401-402, pl.
• Englemann G., in Salm-Dyct Cact Hort Dyck Anno 1849, LV.
1850:239.
• Green, C.W. and D.J. Ferguson, 2012, Pricklypears Commonly
Found in the United States and Northern Mexico. ISBN Online-Only Resources
0615131212, 9780615131214. 139 pp. • International Plant Names Index (accessed Feb 10, 2019, In-
• Griffiths, D., 1908, Illustrated Studies in Opuntia I, Annual Re- ternet)
summary
port of the Missouri Botanical Garden v. 19. p. 259. • The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (accessed Feb 10, 2019, In-
• Griffiths, D., 1909, Illustrated Studies in Opuntia II, Annual Re- ternet)
port of the Missouri Botanical Garden v. 20. p. 81. • The Harvard University Herbaria (accessed Feb 10, 2019, In-
• Griffiths, D., 1910, Illustrated Studies in Opuntia III, Annual ternet)
Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden v. 21. p. 165. • Australian National Herbarium (accessed Feb 10, 2019, Inter-
• Griffiths, D., 1911, Illustrated Studies in Opuntia IV, Annual net)
Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden v. 21. p. 25. • Opuntia Web, (accessed Feb 10, 2019, Internet)
en or Tucson
TucsonArea
Area Opuntia
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Holguín
summary
Dwarf Cactus:
Escobaria cubensis
(Britton & Rose) D.R.Hunt.
Rusbel de la Cruz Hechavarría Salvia
Text and photos by the author; culture photos taken in aithor’s “Collection de la Cruz”
E
scobaria cubensis (Britton
and Rose) D.R.Hunt (1978)
summary
which has as its common

name “Holguín Dwarf Cactus”
is a jewel and worthy repre-
sentative of the cacti species
of the flora of Holguín prov- View of the author’s collection - “Colection
ince, eastern Cuba. de la Cruz”, in the province of Holguín, Cuba.
El Cactus Enano de Holguín: Escobaria cubensis 67

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Colonies of E. cubensis in cultivation.
This endemic species, very interesting and Rose) Backeb. (1942). In later years it was re-
summary
beautiful, was officially discovered in 1909 described as Escobaria cubensis (Britton and
by the American naturalist J. A Shafer and de- Rose) D.R.Hunt (1978). However, recently, in the
scribed in 1912 as Coryphantha cubensis Brit- encyclopedia published by the prestigious natu-
ton and Rose. Later, in 1941 it was reclassified ralist, Joel Lodé “Taxonomy of Cactaceae, Volume
as Neobesseya cubensis (Britton & Rose) Hester II” page 394, this species returned again to its
and shortly after Neolloydia cubensis (Britton & older name as: Neobesseya cubensis.
en or El Cactus Enano de Holguín: Escobaria cubensis 68

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E. cubensis in habitat, locali- Size reference of E. cubensis in hábitat, loca-

ty of La Palma, Municipality lity of Matatoros, Province Holguín, Cuba.
Rafael Freyre, Province
Holguín, Cuba.
E. cubensis, locality of La E. cubensis, locality of Matatoros, grafted on

Palma, grafted on Hylocereus Hylocereus undatus.
undatus.
summary
It is a small plant that rarely exceeds 4 cm in height. These measurements can vary, and
in its natural environment, although it grows even reach higher rates, depending on the type
larger in culture and when grafted, surprising- of pattern used as graft holder and the age of
ly, it can reach up to 7cm in diameter by 5cm the plant.

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summary
Colonies of E. cubensis, locality of E. cubensis, locality of La Palma, Municipality

Matatoros. Rafael Freyre, Province Holguín.
Escobaria cubensis is present in: swamp- E. cubensis in habitat, localidad de

lands with irregular relief, or between rocks, Matatoros.
in serpentinite rocks and mineral soil, reddish
high iron content soil, clay, dry and poor or-
ganic matter, thin, eroded and porous, which
facilitates good drainage.
The most representative habitat of E. cuben-
sis is located in the town of Matatoros, 6 km
from the city of Holguín, but new colonies
have been discovered in the town of La Palma
in the Rafael Freyre municipality, and also in
Holguín province, in the eastern area of the is-
land of Cuba.
summary
Here and above: habitat of E. cubensis, E. cubensis crested plant, in habitat, locality
locality of Matatoros. of Matatoros.

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The Escobaria cubensis is in critical danger

of extinction, its habitats are being destroyed
and depredated, increasingly, by the very hand
of man, which has caused the constant decline
Extraordinary exemplary of E. cubensis. of this species, and others that also live in this
area: such as Melocactus holguinensis subsp.
matatoroensis, Areces and Mollugo deltoidea
León, a species which is another beautiful rep-
resentative of the Cuban flora. The fires, the
Another extraordinary exemplary
of E. cubensis. construction of roads, the landfills manage-
ment, the uncontrolled grazing of cattle and
the introduction of exotic plants species, are a
reason for their possible extinction.
summary

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E. cubensis crested, Matatoros, in cultivation.
E. cubensis cristata, Matatoros, in habitat.
E. cubensis crested, La Palma, in cultivation.
Another negative action, which worry-

ingly affects the decline of this cactus is:
the unauthorized, repetitive and excessive
collection made by collectors - unconscious
predators - that without a plan or project
of control, reproduction and replanting of
the species, they simply have decimated it
considerably.
E. cubensis cv. ‘De la Cruz’.

summary

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E. cubensis in culture, obtained from seeds,

by the author.
Since 2010, several collectors who love cacti, gaged in a dedicated and hard work, with the
official members of the Club Association “Cac- main objective to increase the populations of
tus, Natura MA “of the city of Holguín. Cuba, this endangered species. They are achieving
especially the gentlemen: the author, director- very good results in the adaptation of this spe-
president of the Association, Carlos Miguel cies to the cultivation, in obtaining seeds of ex-
Tamayo Piñero, secretary of the club and Fran- cellent quality, and in the reproduction of this
cisco Javier González Perdomo, activist. are en- important Cuban cactus.
Seeds of E. cubensis in culture, collected by

the author.
summary

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The author with a crested specimen of E. cubensis,

in its habitat.
summary

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Field notes on
summary
Echinocactus polycephalus
Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow
subsp.
polycephalus
Elton Roberts
Text and photos by the author.
A
bout forty years ago I saw my places and not just a few plants for in places they
first Echinocactus polycephalus were thick almost like a forest. The plants grow in
in habitat, this was just south nice clumps north west of Las Vegas Nevada, in a
of Death Valley. I was driving large loop around Mount Charleston to the north
south looking out the windows and to the west and then south to the town of
and relying on my young son’s Pahrump. Around Barstow California I gathered
eyes more than mine. It is hard some seed on quite large plants there. I have been
to see what is out on the hills a to Joshua Tree National Park and have enjoyed
quarter mile away from the road. My son said he hiking around and finding the plants down there
sees something that looks like a cactus like he has also. In places I found Echinocactus polycephalus
not seen before. He saw a few more and I found and Escobaria alversonii growing side by side. So-
a spot to pull over and park. We went for a hike metimes E. alversonii was growing under the large
toward a grey clump of something on a hill side. clumps of E. polycephalus. In a few places Echino-
It was maybe three hundred meters from where cereus englemannii and Echinocactus polycephalus
I parked. Getting closer I could see it was a cac- were arguing over a patch of desert. Many of the
tus and one I had not seen before. I remember clumps were growing in some bushes. You could
being quite impressed for it was a clump of about be almost on a nice clump before seeing it for it was
5 stems and they were very large compared to any hidden in a bush that was the same color as the
plants I was buying in the nurseries back home. plant. The plants in the southern end of Joshua Tree
The tallest stem was about knee tall and about National Park make small clumps of about only five
25 to 30 cm in diameter. I did not have a camera to about ten stems. These plants can be over knee
summary
along so no photos but it did stick in my mind. As tall maybe they have to grow that tall to reach the
we drove slowly along we saw more and more of sunshine because of the bushes they were growing
the plants. Then almost as fast as we came upon in and beside. There were a few plants growing out
them they were gone. Maybe I should say we left in an open place but when I inspected them closer
them behind and saw no more of them on the trip. I could see that the bush that use to shade them
Since then I have seen the plants in quite a few had died as only a few stems of it were still there.
Field notes on Echinocactus polycephalus 75 - XEROPHILIA • Volume VIII, No. 1 (25), August 2019 | ISSN 2285-3987
I was in the hills east of Shoshone 1
where I had stopped for the night

summary
and went for a walk. There I found

Echinocactus polycephalus that were
over waist tall. I was surprised to
see the plants that tall. I went out
with the Sclerocactus Group from
Europe and on top of a mountain
above Death Valley there were
clumps of E. polycephalus and they
were different from any others I
have seen in that the spines were
kind of a semi dull silver. They were
beautiful clumps; not a lot of then
but enough dotted here and there.
If I had been there by myself I would
have investigated them more than I
had time to. Another time I was at
the Little Grand Canyon and was hi-
king around and came across what
at first I thought was Echinocactus
polycephalus ssp. xeranthemoides. I
then had to wonder if it was spp. xe-
ranthemoides for some of the plants
came up to my mid-thigh. So I am 1 - Echinocactus polycephalus - first plant seen by us
not sure which ones they were for in Anza BoregoState Park.
I always thought that ssp. xeranthe-
moides was much smaller than ssp.
polycephalus. Not more than 20 me-
ters away were clumps that I am sure were ssp. de path it is good that the knife blade was dull.
xeranthemoides, for there were 8 to 12 stems and For the path was just the rounded top of the
they were only to 30 cm tall for the tallest stems. blade. It was the slightly rounded foot wide top of
Malcolm Burleigh was telling me one time that the hill. The top of that ridge was about several
his sister had been out hiking in the Anza Borre- hundred meters long before it widened out. Loo-
go State Park and had come across some Echino- king down on the steep side of the hill were a few
cactus polycephalus. Apparently very few people clumps of what we were looking for, Echinocactus
know that they grow in the park. I have spent an polycephalus. They sure picked a good place to
hour looking on the web to see if the plants are grow for any one in their right mind would not try
mentioned anywhere as being in the park and I climbing down to where the plants were growing.
finally found one site and it said there are some Photo 1 (above) is the first clump of Echinocactus
Echinocactus polycephalus in Palo Verde Wash. polycephalus I came to. I thought it was nice to come
It showed where Palo Verde Wash is but that is upon a large clump for the first plant seen up close.
in the wrong area from where we found them. In the photo it does not look to be on such a steep
When we went to the area Malcolm had to hill side, but then look at the tree beyond the cactus
use a walker to get around. So we went to the clump and to the left down the side of the hill. There
area where we could park and I asked just whe- is no way I could get to that tree even if I wanted to.
re these plants are. They pointed out a hill One step on those loose rocks and it was like
that looked to be quite far off and said that is a 90 meter trip head over heels to the bottom. If
where we will find them. I thought to myself I survived it would be an hour back to the vehi-
“No wonder I have never seen them out here. cle and a trip to where there was phone service
That hill does not look interesting and it is a to call an ambulance. So at least two hours to en-
long way up that grade to the base of the hill.” joy thinking why I wanted to reach that tree in the
Malcolm and his wife stayed by the vehicle and first place. One thing that I observed is that most
his son and I started for the far away hill. Malcolm of the plants I saw were large clumps. The plant
watched us with binoculars; he did not want to stems were only about 25 cm tall for the tallest.
summary
miss out on the fun even if he could not go the- The clumps were a meter and more in diameter
re anymore. It took about an hour to reach the but the stems were short compared to the plants
hill and then the climb started. The hill in que- farther north in Joshua Tree National Park. I am
stion was a very steep hill so a person had to not sure that there were any stems that were
climb it from the end. It was as steep on the back any taller than the 25 cm and the stems were
side and so we were walking kind of a knife bla- about 17 or 18 cm in diameter for the largest.
summary
2 3
Photo 2 is a clump just over the edge of the rid-

ge. I wanted to get below the plant and get a photo
of it from below but there was no way I was going
to give that a try. The ocotillo behind the clump is
about three meters down the hill past the clump.
The clump itself is about a meter from the top
of the ridge. I figure that the clump is well over a
meter in diameter. Photo 3 is a clump that was
growing on the other side of the ridge and a short
way higher up the ridge. This clump was one of
the smaller clumps I encountered and still there
are about two dozen stems. I finally got to where
there was some flatter land and there were some
really impressive clumps of the plants. Photo 4 is
a very impressive clump. You are welcome to try
and count the number of stems, besides the ones
seen here on the other side there are more, not
summary
seen in the photo. I have not seen all the plants

in habitat but I think these are by far the largest
clumps that I have seen anywhere. That is for the
diameter of the clumps and also for the number 2-4 - Echinocactus polycephalus - caption for the pho-
of stems. Photo 5 is another shot of the same tos in the text box (left).
clump as in photo 4, but from back a little way.
summary
6 - Echinocactus polycephalus - dark colored spines.

6
Photo 6 is another clump of dark spined stems like in photo 2. Every so often as I hiked around I
would come across one of these very dark spine plants. I am not sure why the spines were so dark on
some plants and much lighter on most of the rest of the plants. I was tempted to think it was the angle
they faced the sun but gave that up for some dark spined plants were even under ocotillo which pro-
vided some shade. If you notice in photo 2 the younger spines are light color and only turn dark when
the spines grow over the shoulder of the plant. In photo 6 the spines are dark from top to bottom of
the stems. Photo 7 is another clump of about twenty stems and again the spines are lighter colored.
At the base of what I call the center stem there are two younger stems growing. I am not sure if they
are growing from the base of the plant like all the other stems or if they are offsets on that larger stem.
7 - Echinocactus polycephalus - light colored spines.

summary
summary
8 - Echinocactus polycephalus - cotton like buds.

8
One of the common names of Echinocactus larger than a field mouse but much prettier to
polycephalus is cotton top cactus, photo 8 shows look at. The ones I saw in the Anza Borrego De-
why. There in the growing point of this plant are sert look like chipmunks. The body was no larger
three dense cotton balls. These are balls of cot- around than my thumb. The critters will dig out
ton that protect the growing bud inside the cot- the cotton to get to the seed pods and that cot-
ton ball. As the plant grows it can grow more ton will be either caught in the spines at the plant
cotton balls as seen in photo 9. Sometimes the top or it will be spread around the desert. In one
cotton balls are so dense that it is hard to count area north of Las Vegas it looked like there had
just how many are on a stem. I have seen six seed been an explosion in a cotton ball factory. To get
summary
pods on a stem. After the flower blooms and it to the seeds the critters chew off the offending
is pollinated then the seed pod grows and it is protective spines; they are very stiff and make it
also buried in the cotton ball. Once the seed is quite difficult for them to get to the seed pods.
ripe the seed pods are attacked by desert mice Sometimes only a few spines are chewed off
which I have never seen or by very small desert and sometimes most of the spines on top of the
squirrels which I have seen. They are not much plant are shortened to only about 1 to 2 cm long.
summary
The flowers are about 5 cm

in diameter and yellow. The
plants usually bloom in the
heat of the summer so not very
many people have seen the
plants in flower. If it is 120 oF
(48.88 oC) in the shade not very
many people want to wander
around in the desert looking
for flowers. If the temperature
summary
is 120 oF (48.88 oC) in the sha-

de; the desert pavement will
be about 30 to as much as 40
degrees F hotter. Photos 9 &
10 show the flowers and also
how heavy duty the spines are.
×Carpophyma mutabilis
summary
Heenan & Sykes
at Ahuriri Estuary
(Napier, New Zealand)
Eduart Zimer
O
ne of the most interesting ously an ideal location for a port, but very poor
places seen in January 2018, roads to the mainland. This earthquake trans-
during my trip to Napier formed the inner port in a long and narrow es-
with both my sons, was the tuary. Still, the site is impressive if you look at
Ahuriri Estuary. It wasn’t ac- bits and pieces, although it is a relative monot-
tually on the list of things to onous display of Sarcocornia quinqueflora – the
do, but during a lazy after- largest mass I have ever seen.
noon (we had quite a chal- However, browsing the marginal areas you
lenging morning trip), very uncertain weather- will find enough attention-grabbing plants to
wise, I decided to go out and see the estuary – it see – and my intended 30 minute trip lasted
was just few hundred meters from our motel, no less than three hours. The most remark-
close enough to come back if the annoying rain able thing was the presence of Disphyma aus-
summary
would start again. trale, Carpobrotus edulis and their hybrid ×Car-
Ahuriri used to be a large inner harbour, until pophyma mutabilis growing basically next to
the 1931 earthquake when large parts of the each other on unusually large surfaces. Bet-
sea floor were lifted few meters. This was a dra- ter said, sitting in distinct clusters, but close to
matic change for the region, which had previ- one another.
×Carpophyma mutabilis at Ahuriri Estuary 81

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This reminds me one of the questions I was often asked by people – how do you recognize Disphy-
summary
ma from ×Carpophyma? Well, if you see them next to each other, there is no real problem – basically
by size. Although they seen to look pretty much the same this is true – and I can’t forget the picture
published in R.J. Chinnock (1972 - Natural Hybrids between Disphyma and Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae) in
New Zealand - New Zealand Journal of Botany, vol. 10). Size is definitely a very relevant element, but
especially if growing conditions and exposure may vary, or plants are not placed next to each other,
it becomes a bit difficult.
A very eloquent species identification key - in

Disphyma the number of fruits can be very high,
especially in plants with intense sun exposure.
Above: RJ Chinnock (1972) - Direct comparison of
leaf size (picture taken from Bob Chinnock, 1972).
Below: ×Carpophyma mutabilis.
summary
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×Carpophyma mutabilis.
I am trying here to present a few elements ers have 2-4 cm in diameter, while ×Carpo-
that can help you to identify Disphyma australe phyma’s flowers are much wider – from 4-6
and ×Carpophyma mutabilis accurately and cm in diameter. Both plants flower during
quickly by simply visual or sensory examina- the same period (late winter to early sum-
tion. (Not even considering Carpobrotus, as this mer), so flower size can be compared on
is much larger). the spot. Of course, sepals are longer in
1. Leaf size. While Disphyma leaf is 2-3 cm ×Carpophyma and also the style number is
long, ×Carpophyma’s leaf can reach 5 cm. greater.
Obviously, in plants that grow in intense so- 4. Flower colour. Disphyma has white or light
lar exposure and in drier conditions, growth pink flowers, this is strictly depending on
is more compact - a reason not to take this the amount of red pigment (betanine) con-
factor as absolute value but only in con- tained in the stems – the red stemmed
junction with other elements. More, it is not plants have more betanine, and they flower
only the leaf length but the entire structure pink, the plants with green stems have less
of the plant that stays in proportion. and flower white. In ×Carpophyma flowers
2. Leaf keel. By simply touching the leaf keel can be light yellowish-pink, turning pink in
you can feel the difference – in Disphyma older flowers (with base of the petal yellow-
the keel is entire, while in ×Carpophyma the ish), or yellowish and fading to whitish and
summary
keel is weakly denticulate, especially near later light pink (again with base of the petal
the apex, but in some cases on the entire yellowish).
keel. This is a characteristic inherited strict- 5. Fruits. This element is again very relevant
ly from Carpobrotus. - ×Carpophyma does not form fruit at all,
3. Flower size. Once again, this is a good el- while in Disphyma –especially in very ex-
ement for identification. In Disphyma flow- posed populations – you can’t miss them.

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A sea of Sarcocornia quinqueflora.

Right: Tetragonia tetragonoides, growing
in few patches and sometimes mixing
with Carpobrotus and ×Carpophyma.
Right below and bottom: Sarcocornia
quinqueflora is by far the dominant ve-
getation form in Ahuriri Estuary.
However, apart from all the details

allowing you to distinguish the plants
between them, the best thing is to see
them next to each other in the same spot
– irreplaceable. Actually once I realized I
have them all at the same place here in
Ahuriri I focused only in finding the best
specimens and study a bit the environ-
ment. Apart from few photos, I neglected
almost completely the estuary.
Dominant was Sarcocornia quinqueflo-
ra – I can’t imagine that prior to the 1931
earthquake the inner port was maybe
10 times bigger, it was still the largest
amount of this salt resistant sarcophyte
ever seen. I actually had very little con-
tact with wild life (photographed only the
Royal Spoonbill - Platalea regia). Instead
I was a bit surprised by the peripheral
vegetation. Carpobrotus edulis, Disphy-
ma australe and ×Carpophyma mutabilis
were covering reasonable large surfaces,
preferring the uncovered land, but also
summary
forming on occasion small islands sur-

rounded by Sarcocornia. It was low tide,
but I imagine these spots were never
reached by salt water and were placed
on somewhat higher ground, maybe 20-
30 cm over the reach.

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Disphyma australe.
Right (both photos): Disphyma australe compared
to my sunglasses.
After photographing many of the mesembs I In this last circumstance, I could see numerous
decided to take a few pictures with a reference dry fruits (unfortunately it was a little bit too
object (my sunglasses in this instance) just to un- late for flowers - I haven’t seen any!). Being a
derline the size differences between the three flat ground it is not the ideal habitat, they would
plants by comparing them with an object of a prefer growing on large rocks, maybe closer
known and especially fixed size. My sunglasses to the sea water or in an area exposed to sea
are 13.5 cm long and 4.5 cm high at the lenses. breezes. Comparing their size with my sunglass-
Disphyma australe. This was the first plant I es – the internodes are tight, rarely longer than
summary
have seen, although it covers in total a relative 2 cm, while the leaves are only 1.5 – 3.0 cm long.
little surface, it can’t compare with Carpobro- Of course, this was quite an exposed position
tus. Usually a bit isolated and trying to find not and you would expect plants growing in shade,
vegetated spots, growing on gravel and sand, or with more moisture available, to have longer
in most cases with quite insidious stems, but leaves. But don’t forget this was the same con-
sometimes forming a very dense groundcover. dition for all plants photographed here.

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Carpobrotus edulis. Grows almost every-

where in the marginal areas, on sandier soil,
between grasses or quite often accompanied
by another halophyte - Tetragonia tetragonoides
(The New Zealand spinach). This is quite a dis-
tinct habit compared to Disphyma, but Carpbro-
tus grows very often in grassy areas. I haven’t
summary
seen any flowers, but I strongly believe this is

exclusively C. edulis - based on the fine denticu-
late keel. Plants are strong, are growing fast…
Carpobrotus edulis. nothing to worry about. Leaves length – see
Right (both photos): Carpobrotus edulis compared comparing pictures – can be estimated at 7-10
to my sunglasses. cm, normal for such an exposed area.

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An island of ×Carpophyma mutabilis, surrounded

by the omnipresent Sarcocornia quinqueflora.
Right (both photos): ×Carpophyma mutabilis com-
pared to my sunglasses.
×Carpophyma mutabilis. Well, that was ac- one of the pictures you can see it growing to-
tually the great discovery while visiting Ahuriri gether with Tetragonia tetragonoides. Secondly,
Estuary. Not its presence – with so many Car- perhaps a bit surprisingly, it does not prefer
pobrotus and Disphyma around it is a very good empty ground but seems to accept grassland
chance – but actually the large numbers and with pleasure. Once again, it was too late in the
the possibility of studying its habit much bet- year to get some flowers; however, comparing
ter. The first finding was that ×Carpophyma is its size with my sunglasses you can notice the
not so attached to free ground surfaces (such intermediate size – especially the leaves, most
as Disphyma), but grows well and is surrounded of them longer than 4 cm, some closer to 6
summary
by diverse vegetation. It is not only a good colo- cm in length. Also leaves are a bit “plump” and
niser, but it can fight other species. You can see seemingly filled with water – and keep in mind
here in the main picture a dense mat of ×Car- that all the mesembs grew here in the same
pophyma completely surrounded by Sarcocor- exposed conditions. The keel was also weakly
nia – it is not the dominant species, but it can denticulate, maybe not in all leaves, but in a
create its vital space in direct competition. In great number.

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The Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia..
A while back (in 2013 – in my article published of our native ice plant as we know it”. As men-
in Avonia) I was still considering this plant some- tioned above, these are only educated opinions
what rare. Looking at the distribution map in – but, once again, a serious study is needed to
Chinnock’s 1972 article I can add another eight support or infirm this theory.
or ten locations where I have seen this hybrid, Secondly – a much accelerated growth dy-
in places you wouldn’t believe – Motutapu Island namic of xCarpophyma, compared to Disphyma.
and Ahuriri Estuary are simply amazing – it sim- “The second problem with ×Carpophyma is that
ply became one of the “adventives”… In my arti- it seems to be more aggressive than the native
cle “Carpobrotus edulis – the ancipital alien” pub- Disphyma helped by a more vigorous growth,
lished in Xerophilia 17 in 2016, I was assessing longer internodal stems and a higher rate of lat-
two major risks. First – backcrossing to Disphyma eral branching. As the stems root easily at the
australe. “(The) pollen of (×Carpophyma) is re- nodes, this is increasing dramatically the chance
portedly highly sterile, but still there are serious of forming new functional individuals”.
concerns that an uncontrolled back-crossing to In fact, the Ahuriri Estuary is an extraordinary
summary
Disphyma australe is actually happening, altering observation point. Of course, if undisturbed, in

therefore the genetic information of our native a longer period of time (maybe 30-50 years at)
plant. There is no fundamental study on this the dynamics of all these three species can be
matter as far as I know, mostly educated opin- observed, and can provide especially a direct
ions, but if proven correct there is a chance to and meaningful support in the preservation of
helplessly assist, in time, to the disappearance Disphyma australe.

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Mammillaria senilis
summary
Lodd. ex Salm-Dyck
a pictorial
in early March
(Baborigame, Chihuahua, Mexico)
Ricardo Ramirez Chaparro
Photos by the author
T
summary
his pictorial intends to be exactly what Mammillaria senilis, flower detail.

it is meant to be, just a plate of photos
showing one of the most amazing
cacti: Mammillaria senilis. The following
picture will have only captions and no
supplementary text.
Mammillaria
Mammillariasenilis,
senilis,aa pictorial
pictorial 89
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Mammillaria senilis, on a rocky slope.
Mammillaria senilis, under a tree shadow.

summary
en or Mammillaria senilis, a pictorial 90

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Mammillaria senilis, on a moss carpet, best

germination protection for new seedlings.

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Mammillaria senilis, growing on moss on the edge a

rocky wall.
Mammillaria senilis, grows on rocks but enjoy some

organic soil.
summary

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Mammillaria senilis, has perhaps the most beautiful

flowers of the genus.

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Mammillaria senilis, as always on rocks covered

with moss.
Mammillaria senilis, as always on rocks covered

with moss.
summary

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Mammillaria senilis and its long yellow

hoocked central spines.

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Mammillaria senilis can form big colonies with

many heads.
Mammillaria senilis, a colony with many flowers

is un unforgettable spectacle.
summary

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Mammillaria senilis, above the forest.

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Mammillaria senilis, end February, beginning of

Mars, the plants are ready to bloom.
Mammillaria senilis, a colony with many flowers

is un unforgettable spectacle.
summary

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Mammillaria senilis, flower and buds.

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Mammillaria senilis, the insects are always

good pollinators.

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Mammillaria senilis, sometimes it is difficult to

go closer...
summary

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summary
Mammillaria senilis, at the end another flower

detail...

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Free online
summary
magazines
Sansevieria Online (German) - The free online
journal about the genus Sansevieria. Latest
issue: summer 2019.
The Cactus Explorer (English) - The first

free online C&S journal. Latest issue: No. 24,
March 2019.
GONE...
Xerophilia
GONE...
GONE...
Once upon a time there were numerous online mag-

azines. Good magazines! There were so many, we were
wondering, which we will read first. We simply needed
to select and choose which magazines to present in our
pages. Today, we have not too many to find, because they
become more complacent and, some, slowly die.
I thought this will be our path as well, but here we are
once again! You read us, so we survived this year too ... or,
at least, I hope so. What have we done the entire year??
If unfulfilled promises will follow at the same rate, we are
unlikely to continue with new issues.
To be honest, the “newcomers” saved us !! We want to
thank them in particular - to our friends from Cuba, Po-
land and the USA, to whom we owe a great deal for our ap-
pearance. We also thank all our former collaborators who,
without denying themselves, kept their word.
We are now once again very late online, exactly like last
year ... Maybe if our friends who promised us articles, as
early as January, would have sent them at least in April,
we would have appeared at the end of May and still have
GONE...
GONE...
summary
some “canned meat”, for the next issue ...
Magazines
Online magazines 103
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ABSTRACT - scurtă sumarizare a articolelor
summary
În căutarea lui Horridocactus aspillagae pagina 5

Grzegorz Matuszewski
Exploratorul polonez Grzegorz Matuszewski, cunoscut și pentru extraordinara sa carte despre Genul
Thelocactus, ne istorisește cum a izbutit să găsească, în habitatul ei, o specie pe care doar puțină lume
a avut privilegiul să o vadă (F. Ritter, F. Kattermann, A. Lau și J. P. Acosta), altundeva decât în cultură.
Coryphantha potosiana - o specie extrem de periclitată pagina 15

Juan Miguel Artigas Azas
Cunoscut autor al mai multor articole, apărute în paginile noastre, Juan Miguel Artigas Azas revine
cu o fișă deosebit de interesană despre o specie destul de puțin cunoscută, dar care, totuși, este
considerată ca fiind extrem de periclitată, dacă nu chiar pe cale de dispariție.
Genul Leptocereus - L. wrightii, reînviat din extincție pagina 23

José Miguel Acuña
A doua parte a unui articol foarte interesant și bine documentat, prezentând o specie de cactus.
endemică litoralului cubanez, considerată exctinctă, dar care a fost miraculos regasită.
Opuntia-dele din imprejurimile orașului Tucson pagina 37

Dave Ferguson & Joe Shaw
Doi mari specialiști în domeniu, ne dau o remarcabilă cheie ilustrată a speciilor de Opuntia și a
varietăților acestora, care au fost catalogate în jurul orașului american Tucson, din Arizona.
Cactusul pitic din Holguín: Escobaria cubensis pagina 67

Rusbel de la Cruz Hechavarría Salvia
Presedintele asociației de profil din Cuba ne prezintă una dintre bijuteriile endemice din flora locală.
Field notes on E. polycephalus in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park pagina 75
Elton Roberts
Cunoscutul autor ne plimbă printr-o reservație în deșert, notându-și observațiile.
×Carpophyma mutabilis în Ahuriri Estuary pagina 81

Eduart Zimer
O nouă contribuție de excepție a colegului nostru, despre evoluțiile florei invazive din Noua Zeelandă.
summary
Mammillaria senilis, un pictorial la inceputul lunii martie pagina 89

Ricardo Ramirez Chaparro
Un splendid pictorial din habitat, despre una dintre cele mai frumoase mamilarii care există în cultură.
Romanian abstract
Online magazines 104
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2019
| ISSN
| ISSN
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2285-3987
summary
summary
Advertising 105 - XEROPHILIA • Volume VIII, No. 1 (25), August 2019 | ISSN 2285-3987
Xerophilia – Volume VIII, No. 1 (25), August 2019
www.xerophilia.ro
ISSN 2285-3987

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the passion for cacti and other succulents

ISSN 2285 – 3987

Front cover Back cover

Erythrina flabelliformis, Opuntia chlorotica var. santa-rita.

the passion for cacti and other succulents

of forest near Yosemite National Park, in 2013 - Wikipedia

Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture - Flickr: 20130817-FS-UNK-0004 - Public domain

The native people of the American

Photo by William Henry Holmes (pubnlic domain 0 from Wikipedia).

Wooden mask, Key Marco, Florida.

Apocryphal Cree prophesy

Pupuya - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Pupuya - Horridocactus aspilagae. Pupuya - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae. Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Punta Lobos - Horridocactus aspilagae.

Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

Loanco - Horirdocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

Loanco - Horridocactus aspilagae ssp. maechlerorum.

(Jacobi) Glass & Foster,

Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

This is a fragment from one of the Autor’s e-Mail to the Editor:

... I realize the pictures are quite monotonous

I am really reluctant to send you the habitat

Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis

Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis

Taxonomy in 1839 to allocate Mammillaria species with tu-

Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis

Coryphanta potosiana, blooming west of San Luis

Distribution and habitat winter. There is little humidity in the form

where C. potosiana grow is

pricklepear (Opuntia sp.) by

the plants once a year at most to allow for

Coryphanta potosiana, close up of the flowers; west

• Glass, Charles & R. Foster. 1970. Coryphantha potosiana

resurrected from extinction

José Miguel Acuña

er Leptocereus of western Cuba, spread in areas which, time passing, under-

The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 23

2 - The coastline of El Vedado was a restricted area

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 24

3 - Silhouette of the tall buildings of Vedado that

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 25

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 26

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 27

10 - The main trunk is woody and it is covered by

Conclusions and resurgence National Botanical Garden of Havana who

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 28

14-15 - Another peculiar detail to identify L. wrightii

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 29

per areolas, approximately 1 cm long; the tepals are

In 2014, Guillermo, an enthusiastic cactus 18

friend, visited my house. He observed my col-

of L. wrightii. Duniel was very happy with the

en or The genus Leptocereus in Cuba - part 2 30

19 - Flower in L. wrightii of kilometer 43; with the

At first accompanied by Duniel Barrios, and then by