Original plant photos!

Cleistocactus samaipatanus

In David Hunt's book "The New Cacus Lexicon", this species is considered to belong in Cleistocactus, However, in Joel Lode's book "Taxonomy of the Cactaceae", he argues for keeping the northern species (generally with flowers having dramatically flared mouths) in the genus Borzicactus, while reserving Cleistocactus for the more southerly ones (generally with narrowly tubular flowers). In whichever genus it is placed, this plant is a standout!

-Brian

Illuminated.

Aloe capitata var. quartziticola

This is a beautiful Aloe species from the highlands of central Madagascar. The species name "capitata" refers to the way the flowers are held in rounded "heads", and the varietal name refers to the quartzite rocks on which it typically grows. A spring standout at RBG!

-Brian