El rol de los Neuroeducadores

ica but m ost from tropical America a n d even the high

altitudes farther south. They may be terrestrial, semi­

epiphytic or epiphytic; denizens of a rid regions or of

moist forests. Only one genus, Pereskia, has conven­

tional stems a n d leaves; other cacti exhibit a variety of

forms-barrel-li ke, colum n a r, ribbed or d eeply fluted;

or have fleshy, cylindrical, triangular or flattened

stems, some formed of a series of joints or l i n ks. Som e

are treeli ke; others c l i m b like vin es b y m e a n s o f aerial

roots . Most cacti store water in their tissues and have

spines to protect them from g razing a n i m als. The flow­

ers are often large and beautiful. Cacti a re slow-g row­

ing; propagated by seeds or cuttings . They are easily

g rafted . Very few are toxic.

ROSE CACTUS (Pereskio grondi­ folioJ, from Brazil, is a s p i ny s h ru b or tree (6- 1 5 fl.) with fleshy, true leaves (unusual in a cactus) 3-6 in. long. Flowers red or w h i te. Grown for hedges i n South America and widely cultivated as o n ornamental.

GOOSENECK CACTUS !Epiphyl­ lum oxypetolumJ, native fro m Mexico t o Brazil, is a climbing plant (to 1 0 ft.), epiphytic or sometimes terrestria l , with thin flat ste m s (4-5 i n . wide). The fragrant fl owers open in the eve n i ng. Needs moist, rich soil.

NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS IHy­ locereus undatus), of u n known origin, is widely g rown and nat­ uralized i n tropica l and subtrop­ ical areas. It is semi-epiphytic, its triangular, jointed, spine­ edged stems c l i m bing walls and trees by mea n s of aerial roots. Numerous big, heavily perfumed flowers open for a single n ig ht, i n s u m mer. Bud s cut i n the eve­ ning will open i ndoors. deep- p i n k fru it has edible flesh. I NDIAN STRAWBERRY IEchino­ cereus engelmaniiJ, native fro m Mexico t o Uta h , forms c l u m ps of e rect, ribbed, spiny ste ms (4 Ia 1 5 i n . hig h). The flowers, j u st below ste m tips, open in day­ time. The fruit is red, ova l, edi­ ble. Grown fro m seed in sandy soil. Needs sem i-shade at fi rst.

M E Z E R E U M F A M I L Y (Thymelaceael DA I S (Dais cotinifo/ia), a South

African s h ru b or tree (to 25 ft.) has deciduous leaves (3-5 i n . long) and fragrant flowers i n late spring a n d s u m mer. Propa­ gated by seed or suckers; cut­ tings do not root freely. Fast­ g rowing in full sun; blooms when o n ly 4 or 5 ft. h igh.

WRI NKLED GNIDIA (Gnidia op­ positiloliaJ, a native of South Af­ rica, is a moderately branched, erect, heath l i ke shrub (3- 1 2 ft. high) with s mooth , evergreen leaves ( % in. long) and term inal clusters of flowers i n s u m mer. Abounds along streams and marshes.

RICE FLOWER fPimelea lerru­ ginea), a native of Western Aus­ tralia, is an erect, compact shrub (2-4 ft.) with evergreen leaves ( % - % in. long), silky on the u n ­ derside. T h e flowers are pro­ d uced abundantly in spring. Very popular i n g reenhouses and outdoors in California. Slow g rowing. Propagated by cutti ngs. Needs subacid soil a n d mois­ ture, drastic cutting back after bloo m i n g . Var. coardica is pros­ trate; has white flowers. This species l ives longer than others.

L O O S E S T R I F E F A M I L Y ILythracea el

C IGAR FLOWER (Cuphea platy­ centra), from Mexico, is a shrub­ by plant ( 1 2- 1 5 i n . high) with everg reen leaves ( 1 -3 in. long). The flowers have s h owy, tubular calyces but no petals. Propa­ gated by seeds, cuttings a n d d ivision; n e e d s m o i s t s o i l . I n Ha­ waii, flowers are used in leis.

QUEEN'S CRAPE MYRTLE (La­ gerstroemia speciosa), native from I ndia to Austra l ia, is a broad-topped tree (to 50-80 ft.) with deciduous leaves (5-8 i n . long) a n d erect clusters of p i n k or lavender flowers. Crape Myr­ tle (L. indica) is a lovely, flow­ ering s h rub; less tropical. P O M E G R A N A T E F A M I L Y IPunicacea el POMEGRANATE !Punica grana­

fum), from southern Asia, is a shrub or tree (to 20 ft.) with deciduous leaves ( 1 -3 % in. long), g rown for its brilliant flowers a n d for its fru its (red or yellow) which are both dec­ orative and edible. Flowers of some varieties a re double; some red-and-yellow, o r white. Prop­ agated by seed, cuttings, layers or g rafting. Needs full s u n , dry soil. May l ive for 200 years.

B R A Z I L N U T F A M I L Y (Lecythidacea el CANNONBALL TREE ICouroupita guianensisl, native from north­ ern Brazil Ia Trinidad, is a tree (to 80- 1 00 ft.) with deciduous leaves (to 1 1 in. lang) and beautiful flowers o n curling stems (to 7 ft. long) festooning the tru n k fantastica lly a l l the way to the grou nd. The fruits, borne i n g reat n u m bers u nder favorable conditions, a re un­ pleasantly odoriferous when ripe. (They may requ i re 1 8 mos. to mature.) Grown from seed. MEMBRI LLO IGustavia superbal, common in wet forests of Cen­ tral America, is a tree (to 45 ft.) with few upright bra n ches bear­ ing term inal c l u m ps of everg reen leaves (1 Y2 -4 ft. long). The flowers cluster near bra n c h ends. Fruits, large a n d edible. G rows from cuttings; needs rich soil.

T E R M I N A L I A F A M I L Y (Com bretaceael

SH OWY COMBRETUM ICombre­ tum grandiflorum), a native of West Tropical Africa, is a

c l i m bing s h r u b (to 20 ft.) with rough leaves (4-6 in. long), downy on the u nderside. New g rowth, vivid red in m id-wi nter, adds to the g lory of the flow­ ers. The b u n c hes of winged seeds, turning rosy i n early spring, are also ornamenta l . Fast-g rowi n g f r o m seed i n rich soi l, f u l l s u n . C h i ldren suck nectar from the blooms.

RANGOON C REEPER (Quisqualis indica), from southeast Asia and the East I n d ies, is a large climb­ ing shrub (to 25 ft.) with decidu­ ous, somewhat hairy leaves. When the blades a re shed, their persistent sta l ks becom e thorns. The flowers, i n drooping clusters, are wh ite when fl rst open, later turn pi n k and then deep red. Fragrant i n eve n i n g . Fast-g row­ i n g fro m cutti ngs, layers or root­ division, in rich sail, full s u n . Seeds toxic i n quantity.