Here, and also in a side valley of the Rimac
valley, the Eulalia Valley, and its many side valleys we found
many different forms of Haageocereus
chosicensis as well as Espostoa melanostele, and
Neoraimondia roseiflora.
Haageocereus multangularis syn. pseudomelanostele
in a valley near
Lima.
photo: Buining
Melocactus macrocanthos (SD.) Lk. et Otto
on coral rocks on the northern coast of Curaçao.
photo: Buining
Pilosocereus lanuginosus (L.) Byl. et Rowl.
on coral rocks on the north side of Curaçao.
photo: Buining
We also found the remarkable Opuntia pachypus,
Loxanthocereus faustianus and the very rare Loxanthocereus xylorhizus.
Especially
Melocactus peruvianus and Mila nealeana, the latter
full of colourful ripe berries, could be found everywhere. In
addition we visited Ritter's
rare locality of Loxanthocereus neglectus. After some days
operating from Chosica, we returned to Lima and on our way back
visited the valley of Haageocereus pseudomelanostele,
entering the valley through a vinyard. Unfortunately, it appeared
that nearly all plants had died, due to exceptional droughts. A
truly sad sight.
Back in Lima it transpired that the
weather in the mountains to the north of
Lima, an area that we were yet to visit, was still so bad that it
was impossible to travel in this very large area. Much to our
regret we were forced to cancel these plans. We
therefore said our farewells to our dear friend Ritter, to whom we
extremely thankful for such an exceptional journey.
Thanks to the mediation of a friend of Prof. Rauh,
the plants collected in Peru were quickly packed and sent and
arrived safely in Holland three weeks later.
We flew via Panama and Caracas to Curaçao, where we
explored for its endemic cacti. When one has made such an
extensive trip, and has seen so many plants, then it is easy to
become convinced that there is just one species of Melocactus on
this island, with some different forms.
Endemic village on the shores of a river in
French Guyana, border with Suriname. photo: Buining
After a visit to Padre Arnoldo Broeders,
a flight to
Paramaribo and a 5-day stay deep in the forest of
Suriname at Stoelmans Island and surrounding area, we finally
arrived back in our beloved home country, more than 10 months
after our departure.
