Desert Island Rarities: Island Endemic Cacti and Succulents of Baja California

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With Peter Breslin
Tuesday, May 16, 2022 – 7:00 pm Pacific Time (California)

Our speaker Peter Breslin and several Baja Island endemic cacti and succulents

Members and visitors can attend in person in San Francisco,
or register/join the meeting in progress on Zoom.

Program Description

If you want to see certain unusual cacti and succulents in the wild, you must travel to the specific small islands where they grow. This is especially true in Baja California, where plants have evolved rapidly in response to their island habitats. This talk provides a tour of two ecosystems, with detailed pictures and information on all the endemic cacti and succulents on three islands. Two are in the Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of Baja: Isla Cedros, and Isla Magdalena. There is also an introduction to the wild west side of Isla Angel de la Guarda in the Gulf of California.

Peter started studying cacti in habitat more than 30 years ago and at age 58 earned a Ph.D. from Arizona State in cactus evolution and biogeography, focused on the Mammillaria and Cochemiea of Baja California. He is one of the authors of The Field Guide to Cacti and Succulents of Arizona, published by the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society. He is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at The Desert Lab at The University of Arizona, conducting the sixth installment since 1964 of the long-term saguaro survey on Tumamoc Hill in Tucson. He is the managing editor for CSSA publications, and edits both the Cactus and Succulent Journal and the annual peer-reviewed yearbook, Haseltonia.

Show & tell table: bring Ferocactus, Agave, or whatever is in flower or looking nice.

Featured grower: Annie Wolf - Desert Wonders Plants

Snack table:, There will be a shared spread, but we suggest bringing something every couple of months if you partake regularly. As a thought, we are often short on drinks. 

Covid precautions: Vaccination recommended. We will keep doors open to ensure adequate ventilation. This can make the room a bit chilly so dress appropriately.

Meeting Agenda

7:00 Mingling and announcements
7:30 Formal presentation starts promptly with Society business
7:35 Show and Tell Table
7:50 Leg stretch
7:55 Featured presentation

Watch Online

On Zoom: Register or join the meeting in progress.

Or watch the simulcast on our Facebook page: http://fb.me/sfsucculent

Upcoming Events

  • Meetings usually on the third Tuesday each month: May 16 we will feature the above talk on Baja Island Rarities by Peter Breslin.
  • There will be NO third Tuesday meeting in June, instead we will have several presentations at the Show and Sale the weekend before our typical meeting date.
  • Annual Show and Sale – June 16-18, 2023 – Mark your calendars! Volunteer?
  • Miss our annual field trips? Want to help us plan one? Get in touch.