Argentina & Chile -- November 2008 -- Day 13-- Cachi to Cafayate--170km

[David_L]

This little spegazzinii has sunk itself into a pit. It reminds me of the nesting place of the all powerful Sarlac in 'The Return of the Jedi'. Sad I know!

[attachment 22064 Gymnocalycium_spegazzinii.jpg]

[Mike P]

The light was fairly poor here so the colours are a little jaded but here is a side on shot of the dessicated Gymno.
[attachment 22115 jjjj1.jpg]
The area was very sandy and bone dry although there were markings on the ground which indicated some rain had fallen.

[Mike P]

In one area of the site the ground was strewn with large clumps of Tephrocactus molinensis - also looking very dry.
A thorough search found some with seed pods which I eventually managed to open to reveal seed. Not an easy task as they had dried to the consistency of wood - and the fact that they were full of glochids made for a fun experience...to date I have three which have germinated and they have the buff colourd glochids of the plants at this location.
[attachment 22116 j1.jpg]
There were many single rooted segments around the main plants pointing to this being the main from of spread of the plants. I could find no seedlings.

[Mike P]

And some more....
[attachment 22117 jj1.jpg]

[Mike P]

And a close up.
[attachment 22119 jjj1.jpg]
I detect signs of flowers / new growth at the ends of the stems.

[Mike P]

And another shot.
[attachment 22120 jjjjj1.jpg]

[Mike P]

Another shrunken Gymno. and the pock marking and patterning on the sand suggesting running water at some stage in the past.
[attachment 22121 jjjjjj1.jpg]

[Benjy]

Great pics, i especially like the shots of the sunken Gymnocalyciums,
and those Parodias look awesome, ive never grown many of these.

[David_L]

A nice example of Acanthocalycim thionanthum from this stop. The dark brown spiny buds are very striking.


[attachment 22146 Acanthocalycium_thionanth2.jpg]

[David_L]

A couple more with what looks like a small mammal hole between them.


[attachment 22147 Acanthocalycium_thionanthum.jpg]