Monthly Meeting

Thursday April 5, 2012 at 7 pm

"Travels through Ecuador and Northern Peru, the Natal Area of the Family Cactaceae"

Presented by Chuck Hanson

This program will focus on the cactus and succulents of Ecuador and Northern Peru. It is surmised that the family Cactaceae arose in northern Peru and one species shown is presumed to be the most ancestrally basal member of the subfamily cactoideae. The cacti of Ecuador are poorly known and some of the taxonomic problems will be shown. Chuck lived in Tucson for thirty years and founded Arid Lands Greenhouses in 1978. He moved to Iowa in 1995 and soon after, founded Orchid Renaissance, specializing in lithophytic and terrestrial orchids. He moved to the upper Amazon valley of southern Ecuador in 2008 with his wife Karen and 11 dachshunds, and has been studying and photographing the cactus and succulents of the area.

Free Plant Giveaway

Hedgehog Heaven
This month’s free plants, door prizes and raffle plants include several
Echinocereus species, including E. engelmannii, E. viridiflorus, E.
dasyacanthus, and E. viereckii ssp. morricalii. Known for showy flowers,
these species are cold hardy and their blossoms are an indicator
that winter is over!

April Refreshments

Those with family names beginning with J, K, L, M, N, O,
and P please bring your choice of refreshments to
the meeting. Your generous sharing will be greatly
appreciated and enjoyed!