BCSS Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch

Newsletter September 2006 - BCSS International Convention 17th August 2006

Having not been to a Convention for many years it was with a sense of great anticipation that on Thursday evening I braved the traffic queues on the M6 and headed down to Loughborough University. I was not disappointed.

Sheila Collenette spent 27 years botanising in Saudi Arabia and has published a book "Wild Flowers of Saudi Arabia" describing around 2250 plants, the majority illustrated with her own excellent photographs. She modestly described her presentation as "just a little travelogue" but it was clear that her knowledge of the plants was immense. Her photographs were presented with anecdotes of her travels giving a fascinating insight into the problems of a woman "botanising on a house-keeping budget". In order to save film she often picked a fruiting stem and placed it next to a flowering stem so she could photograph both fruit and flowers in one shot! Of one of the fouler smelling Asclepiads she said, "Lots of things die out there — donkeys, goats, camels — and it smelled like all of these mixed together". In addition to plants she showed some wonderful shots of foxes, a white-tailed mongoose, an Arabian jennet, a porcupine and a baboon.

"Wildflowers of Saudi Arabia" by Sheila Collenette Records 2250 botanical species in Saudi Arabia, the great majority illustrated in flower in their natural habitats

Roberto Kiesling and Marlon Machado gave fascinating overviews of the cacti of, respectively, Argentina and eastern Brazil. They moved systematically through the genera discussing the characters of the plants which distinguish the different taxa. They both discussed the use of molecular data from DNA studies to help determine relationships between species. The results from DNA sequencing can be controversial and it is clear that the data should be used carefully and in conjunction with morphological data.

Woody Minnich presented spectacular photographs of the wonderful plants found during his travels in Mexico. He is a teacher of art and design and this was clear from the professional quality of his digital presentations. His appreciation of the plants, culture and the people of Mexico shone through sand his enthusiasm was infectious.

John Trager is Curator of the Cactus and Succulent Collection at the Huntington Botanical Gardens (HBG) in southern California. He gave the only presentation not to feature plants in habitat, showing stunning photographs of plants at the HBG including crests, grafted variegated Gymnocalyciums and chimeras. There was a memorable photograph, which provoked a collective gasp from the audience, of an entire greenhouseful of Bob Schick’s Echinopsis hybrids all in flower together. As well as cacti John visited almost almost every other main group of succulent plants, including Aloe, Agave, Dracaena, Sanseveria, Euphorbia, Kalanchoe and Asclepiadaceae so there truly was something for everybody.

Ernst van Jaarsveld and Graham Williamson gave presentations of the plants of South Africa. Ernst has been exploring cliffs in the ravines formed by rivers, often travelling down the rivers in inflatable boats. He and his companions braved rapids, mosquitoes, snakes and crocodiles but have been highly successful in discovering many new species.

There was a brief speech by Dan Mahr, President of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, in which he proposed closer ties between the BCSS and the CSSA, especially in view of an aging and falling membership in both countries. He then surprised most of us by presenting the BCSS with the CSSA’s Conservation Award - beautiful glass ‘five-padded Opuntia’ inscribed with the words "In recognition for promoting the preservation of succulent plant habitats".

The programme of talks was supplemented by plant and book sales to keep one occupied during the breaks and my wallet ended up lighter and my greenhouse fuller by the end of the weekend. The organisation, headed up by David Kirkbright, was excellent and the Convention had a lovely friendly and relaxing atmosphere.

Mike Ashworth

Alasdair Glen