BCSS Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch

Newsletter March 2008

Echeveria x Hoveyi Photo: Elizabeth Maddock

This interesting plant was first described as long ago as 1910. More than interesting, it can be described (using the word in the nicest possible way and not detracting from its appeal) as peculiar. For many years it has widely been believed to be a chimaera, "a plant within a plant". In Urs Eggli’s Glossary of Botanical Terms a chimaera is defined as "a plant composed of two (or occasionally more) genetically different tissues as the result of a mutation or for other reasons ...." Another chimaera commonly seen in succulent collections is Sedum rubrotinctum cv ‘Aurora’.

Another year in the life of the Branch begins and what have we to offer? The short answer, really, is something for everyone. Whether a new member or a longstanding one, whether or not you are able to or wish to attend meetings (and I might add that we can always squeeze in a few more or the second Monday of the month). A Branch library has books waiting to be borrowed and Phil is open to suggestions for new books, meetings offer a chance to buy or sell plants and to get and to give advice, the Wilmslow Show, incorporating our Branch Show, is fixed for 6th July and exhibitors, helpers and visitors alike will all be very welcome, our application on behalf of the BCSS to have a stand at the RHS Show at Tatton Park in July has again been successful and fresh help would again be very welcome there, our Newsletter can always do with notes, comments, questions, reviews and our webmaster is happy to receive material to expand the site. In addition, there’s a local Zone Symposium planned for Saturday 27th September, a National Show on August 16th and a variety of one day events organised by other groups with in the BCSS.

All in all, it looks like there will be never a dull moment in 2008.

— Alasdair Glen

• Trev's Topics — Trevor Shannon (chairman)
• Book Review: Australian Succulent Plants, An Introduction — Ian Nartowicz
• Book Review: Aeonium in Habitat and Cultivation — Elizabeth Maddock

And the Lithops were ... The Lithops species in the selection box on the front of the December issue are as shown.
Lithops selection box