Viewing comments posted by Baja_Costero

936 found:

[ Dudleya (Dudleya chasmophyta) | Posted on October 12, 2024 ]

Recently (2024) described Dudleya species from steep cliffs in Santiago Canyon, Orange County, southern California, somewhat inland. Similar to and earlier confused with D. cymosa ssp. ovatifolia, from Malibu Canyon, western Los Angeles County. Smallish rosettes and tubular yellow flowers.

This species was possibly first studied by David Verity around 1950, then rediscovered by McCabe and others, and named for its preference for rocky cliffs and crevices.

[ Dudleya (Dudleya cochimiana) | Posted on October 12, 2024 ]

Recently (2023) described rare island endemic from Baja California. Dark green to white leaves and a congested inflorescence. From Isla Cedros on the Pacific side about halfway down the peninsula. Similar to the peninsular D. gatesii, which has light green leaves with a layer of white powder, and white flowers.

Described at the same time as D. delgadilloi (also from Cedros). Named after the Cochimí, a native people of this part of Baja California.

[ Dudleya (Dudleya delgadilloi) | Posted on October 12, 2024 ]

Recently (2023) described rare island endemic from Baja California. Its succulent rosettes are usually much-branched, usually not glaucous. From foggy cliffs in a narrow microclimate on Isla Cedros, on the Pacific side about halfway down the peninsula. Found near the much fatter leafed D. pachyphytum. Apparently quite similar to D. albiflora, a larger and less branchy plant found elsewhere.

Not to be confused with D. josedelgadilloi (also recently described and named after the same Mexican botanist), which used to be referred to as a green form of D. brittonii, found on the peninsula significantly further north. This large green rosette succulent is in turn easily confused with D. reidmoranii, which was described at the same time and occupies similar geographic areas far to the north of Cedros, differing mostly in its floral features.

Described at the same time as D. cochimiana (also from Cedros).

[ Powderpuff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana 'Splendens') | Posted on October 6, 2024 ]

Intensely woolly variant of the normally somewhat furry Powderpuff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana), with a much whiter overall color. Stems are smaller, flowers very shy (in part due to congestion around the stem). This plant somewhat resembles M. plumosa but is brighter white and has sharp spines that you can just barely feel when you run your hand over the top. It forms decent sized clumps over time and is reasonably fast growing for the genus.

[ Isla Tiburon Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii subsp. tiburonensis) | Posted on August 28, 2024 ]

The former Ferocactus tiburonensis (now a subspecies of F. wislizenii) is an island endemic from Isla Tiburón in the Gulf of California with stout radial spines, yellow flowers, and a somewhat smaller size than the type subspecies of wislizenii (Up to 3 feet tall, instead of up to 10 feet tall).

[ Aloe (Aloe argentifolia) | Posted on August 17, 2024 ]

Recently described (2017) aloe from the Lúrio waterfalls in Mozambique with scarlet, secund flowers closely resembling those of Aloe mawii (Tanzania, Malawi, northern Mozambique). Leaves are somewhat glaucous. Like mawii, its leaves take on bright reddish (or orange-pink-brownish) hues when stressed.

[ Mexican Fruit Cactus (Bisnaga hamatacantha subsp. sinuata) | Posted on July 26, 2024 ]

This shorter variant of a northerly barrel cactus is restricted to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo plain in south Texas and northern Mexico. It makes all-yellow flowers, in contrast to the red-throated flowers of the type.

[ Bisnaga hamatacantha | Posted on July 26, 2024 ]

Northerly barrel cactus with curved to hooked central spines and yellow flowers (with or without red throats). May grow up to 12 inches wide and 24 inches tall. Usually solitary. 12-17 tuberculate ribs, 4-8 central spines (up to 3" long), 8-20 radial spines. From Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico. Subsp. sinuatus (Rio Grande/Rio Bravo plain in SE Texas and northern Mexico) is shorter (to 12 inches), with sharper ribs, only 4 central spines, all-yellow flowers. The type only has red-throated flowers.

Not to be confused with this plant (one letter away, from Puebla and Veracruz):

Bisnaga (Bisnaga haematacantha)

The species names refer to their spines:

hamata = hooked (note: not always true)
haemata = blood red

B. haematacantha was formerly classified under Echinocactus, later Ferocactus. Both were moved from Ferocactus to the newly resurrected genus Bisnaga based on genetic evidence of their relatedness and distinctness from other members of the former Ferocactus.

[ Pearl Plant (Tulista pumila) | Posted on July 17, 2024 ]

Green former Haworthia (now in a separate genus) growing up to 8 inches, with raised whitish tubercles on the leaves. Solitary or slowly clumping. Variable in color and surface texture. 3 varieties currently recognized by the CoL (ohkuwae has denser, more prominent tubercles; sparsa the opposite and more of a purple color).

Yellow, red, purplish or brown when stressed. Natural hybrids with Astroloba exist. A form with round, donut-shaped tubercles is sold in the trade under the name 'Donuts', though it seems the name is frequently misused for other, more typical versions.

4 species of former Haworthias are in the recently separated genus Tulista, placed there based on genetic evidence of their relatedness. They are closer to Aristaloe and Astroloba than other Haworthias and aloes.

[ Haworthia pygmaea | Posted on July 17, 2024 ]

Windowed Haworthia from the western cape. Few leaves, with rough surface texture (usually) and opaque windows. The amount and type of raised texture varies. Several named varieties have been described. Slowly offsetting. White flowers with greenish veins. Popular in hybridization because of the leaf shape and texture. Some plants (eg. var. acuminata) may lack tubercles on the leaf surface and have small white dots instead.

[ Caballona (Ferocactus macrodiscus) | Posted on July 17, 2024 ]

Solitary blue-green or yellow-green barrel cactus from the highlands of central Mexico. Usually flat and low, to 12-16 inches wide and 4 inches tall. 13-35 sharp, usually tuberculate ribs; red or yellow recurved (sometimes straight) spines with 4 flattened central spines forming a cross and 6-8 round radial spines. Flowers are purplish pink with white edges, fruit is the same color. Serious tap root.

From San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Puebla, Oaxaca. Two subspecies: the type is blue-green with shallow areoles and curved spines; ssp. septentionalis, from Guanajuato, is greenish yellow with more pronounced areoles and long, straight spines.

Not among the more common members of the genus in cultivation.

[ Uebelmannia (Uebelmannia pectinifera) | Posted on July 17, 2024 ]

Solitary Brazilian cactus to 30 inches or more tall and 6 inches wide, with small yellow daytime flowers in summer followed by purple/red fruit. 15-40 sharp ribs, 1-4 dark spines per areole, little separation between areoles, fine fur along ribs. Dark reddish brown stem (color depends on exposure) with waxy white scales or scurf and a bumpy texture.

The 3 subspecies of U. pectinifera are similar and occur close to each other. Ssp. pectinifera (18 ribs, ~20" tall) occurs at higher altitudes; ssp. flavispina has up to 29 ribs and reaches up to ~14" tall; ssp. horrida has >23 ribs and may reach up to 3 feet or more.

Kind of a collector's plant. Not especially common in cultivation, endangered in habitat.

[ Jimson Weed (Datura wrightii) | Posted on July 9, 2024 ]

Poisonous low shrub from the SW United States and NW Mexico with dark green leaves and large white flowers, often with purplish overtones. Spiny dehiscent fruit, big seeds.

One of a few species of Datura (some known as toloache in Mexico) used medicinally or spiritually in new world indigenous culture. Various effects have been described, some psychoactive (eg. hallucinogenic), but the whole plant is poisonous and it will kill you if you consume enough.

Especially common in Southern California, but extending all the way north to eastern Washington and well south into Mexico. Often found in disturbed areas. Probably appears as a volunteer more than as an intentional planting in most gardens.

[ Cleistocactus guentheri | Posted on July 6, 2024 ]

Spiny Bolivian columnar cactus which grows a (pseudo)cephalium (extra-bristly reproductive stem area) and makes yellowish white flowers there. Stems (light green under the spines) branch at the base and may grow to 6-7 feet tall. ~27 ribs, ~15 spines per areole, lateral cephalia bearing many reddish bristles. Flowering occurs relatively late in life.

This species has variously been filed under Espostoa, Cleistocactus, and Vatricania (the latter a monotypic genus dedicated to its weird self). At the moment it appears to be a Cleistocactus, but it differs from other members of that genus in having a cephalium. Unlike the current members of Espostoa, the cephalium usually develops gradually. Genetically it is well outside Espostoa and apparently closer to Cleistocactus.

[ Agaves (Agave) | Posted on June 27, 2024 ]

These natives of North America (mostly) are well-armed, fibrous rosette succulents which thrive in dry environments. A variety of forms exist with narrow or wide leaves, usually bearing a sharp terminal spine and often bearing sharp marginal teeth. Most are green or blue, often with a powdery glaucous coating. They vary from dwarf (5 inch rosette at maturity) to giant (10-15 feet wide) but tend to be on the large side.

The life cycle of an agave (approx. 3-30 years) is a process of gradually building up the massive amount of energy needed to flower, with the production of an inflorescence several times the height of the rosette. Then most agaves die, though they may produce offspring by way of seed, bulbils, or offsets.

Agaves are popular in commercial and highway landscaping in mild-winter climates because of their extreme drought tolerance. The common agaves (eg. americana, attenuata) tend to be the most proliferous and weedy. Other agaves are solitary, slow growing, and produced from seed. All need bright light and good drainage. Few will tolerate wet feet or really cold temps, none the combination of the two. Many will do well in containers, though their final size will be limited.

The genus Agave recently absorbed a few others (eg. Manfreda, Polianthes) based on genetic evidence placing them together. In turn, 3 new genera were split from Agave in 2024. These include Echinoagave (12 species of hedgehog-like plants), Paraagave (1 species, ellemeetiana), and Paleooagave (1 species, bracteosa, the lowest branch on this part of the family tree).

[ Arizona Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) | Posted on June 22, 2024 ]

Large, usually solitary barrel cactus to 30 inches wide and ~10 feet tall in old age. 20-30 ribs; 4 central spines, the lower ones flat, stout, often hooked; ~12 radial spines. Flowers yellow, orange or red. Relatively common in cultivation, at least in the SW US and NW continental Mexico. Widely distributed across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua, Sonora, Sinaloa, Durango.

The former F. herrerae (13 ribs; yellow flowers with red midveins) (Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango) is now a subspecies of wislizenii: Sonoran Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii subsp. herrerae)

The former F. tiburonensis (Isla Tiburón) (21 ribs, yellow flowers) is also now a subspecies of wislizenii: Isla Tiburon Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii subsp. tiburonensis)

[ San Jose Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus townsendianus) | Posted on June 22, 2024 ]

Solitary barrel cactus to 12 inches wide and 20 inches tall (in old age). ~16 deep ribs, 3-4 straight or slightly curved central spines, 14-16 radial spines. Flowers are yellow with red highlights, orange or red.

From southern Baja California and adjacent islands. Related to F. peninsulae, also from BCS.

[ Euphorbia (Euphorbia clavarioides) | Posted on June 20, 2024 ]

Cushion or mound-forming medusoid Euphorbia to about 12-18 inches in diameter. Short, densely packed arms radiate from each central head, which is relatively narrow for the group. The tip of each arm is distinctly flat (thus the name). Each arm will grow increasingly fat near the base in old age. Some clones rebranch (an arm will eventually become a new head), others are strictly solitary.

Greenish yellow or yellow cyathia with spreading glands bearing minute teeth on their outer margin. They resemble the cyathia of E. flanaganii (minus the teeth) and these 2 plants may be related, though the lower arms of clavarioides are not deciduous in the same way. Like the versions of flanaganii which branch, E. clavarioides can be propagated from arm cuttings, at least once they have formed a new head.

From central and eastern South Africa, widely distributed in nature at elevations over 1000m, found growing on rocks and rocky soil. Supposedly easy to confuse with a multi-stemmed E. ernestii. Apparently quite cold tolerant.

This plant varies in form (arms from 8-20mm wide, main stem 2-10cm wide) but it will look gangly in low light, like most medusas. In full sun the heads are dense and compact, not much space between stems, as found in nature, where they occur at ground level or sometimes a little buried. This plant enjoys excellent drainage and tolerates a dry lifestyle. Reluctant to flower in my experience.

[ Slender Candelabra Euphorbia (Euphorbia avasmontana) | Posted on June 17, 2024 ]

Spiny, shrubby cactiform Euphorbia from southern Africa, growing to about 6 feet tall and wide. Mostly branched at the base, sometimes with occasional rebranching. Stems have 4-8 ribs and paired stipular spines; spine shields are joined in a continuous horny margin. Cyathia have yellow nectar glands and appear on new growth. Fruit is lobed.

Growth is quite seasonal (mostly in summer) and new spines may be intense red. Overall shape tends to be like a candelabra; branches initially are spreading but eventually grow upward. Young seedlings have a distinct pattern like variegation on the stem.

From South Africa and Namibia. Very similar to (and easily confused with) Euphorbia (Euphorbia virosa) (larger, globose fruit; potentially bigger overall; stems more constricted into segments) and Euphorbia (Euphorbia otavibergensis) (aka E. otavimontana) (stems deeply grooved and more constricted into segments). According to Carter, flowers and fruit are required to reliably distinguish E. avasmontana from E. virosa.

[ Manos Largas (Agave mapisaga) | Posted on June 14, 2024 ]

Extra large, offsetting agave with channeled leaves, small brown teeth, and fierce terminal spines. Rosettes may reach 7-8 feet tall and twice as wide. The jumbo var. lisa is said to be the biggest agave; its origins in nature are not known.

From the highlands of central Mexico. Used to make pulque, along with the closely related salmiana (which is more frequently used for this purpose, though the two species may grow side by side).

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