Collecting cacti in these desert areas is quite different from botanising in Brazil and similar area where nature appears to be much more diverse.

We left the 'Pan Americana' regularly to search in the desolate and barren desert for specific Ritter-plants. Nobody lives here and there no opportunities to replenish food, water or petrol supplies. Such trips are not without risk, as getting stuck in the lose sand, car breakdowns or simply getting lost can have very serious consequences. 

During one of these trips we found a new species in the genus Thelocephala. Later on we learned that Mr Ito from Japan had officially published an earlier description under this name, than Ritter's genus Chileorebutia. As a result, we have to admit that plants from this genus will be named as members of Ito's genus THELOCEPHALA. We also found Copiapoa coquimbana var. domeykoensis, Pyrrhocactus eriosyzoides var. domeykoensis as well as an Eriosyce species.

There was no chance of returning to the main high way, so that we pulled up and spent the night  next to an old Indian hut, near a deserted mine. The next morning, before reaching the main road, we saw large mound forming groups of a Maihueniopsis species. Some distance past a small town we found, on top of a barren hill covered in grit, Pyrrhocactus atroviridis and Thelocephala duripulpa.

The different species of Thelocephala are extremely difficult to find. The tap roots can reach to 30 cm in length but the plant grows usually on a long thick neck on top of the tap root. The small plant however is almost completely hidden under grit and sand. Only when plants are in flower is it easier to see where the plants grow. As Ritter knew the locations for his Thelocephala's with remarkable accuracy, we were privileged to see most of the species in their natural habitats.

Our camp near a deserted copper mine, some distance from Domeyko.
Photo Buining

We continued farther into the Atacama Desert, and when we pulled up for the next night, at the foot of a formidable hill, on top of which Thelocephala aerocarpa was known to grow, we discussed if we were first going to take a 'quick look' at the top. Ritter lead the way, fast as a mountain goat, while I followed behind, out of breath, like a dray horse. It was a miserable, difficult climb, and when we reached the top there was a stiff breeze from the ocean, so that we had difficulty not to be blown over.

(to be continued)