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23. A Chilian Cactus in flower and its Leafless Parasite in fruit

Referring to the various Chilian landscapes, we see that columnar cacti are a conspicuous feature. This, the-commonest species, is Cereus Quisco, Gay, which grows to a height of 1.5 to 20 feet, and is often preyed upon by a leaf less parasite, Loranthus aphyllus, Miers (syn. L. cactorurn, Hook. et Arm). In this case both nurse-plant and parasite-are leafless ; in others it may be seen that the leaves of the two are often similar (see 21 and 734). In 26 the cactus and its parasite are shown in their natural habitat. The ripe white berries of the Loranthus are edible.

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Gladiolus italicus, 1804

Illustration of Gladiolus italicus, commonly known as Italian gladiolus, field gladiolus or common sword lily. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1804. Artwork from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, volume 19, plate 719. Curtis's Botanical Magazine is the longest running botanical periodical featuring colour illustrations of plants and has been published continuously since 1787

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Corydalis solida, 1793

Illustration of Corydalis solida, commonly known as spring fumewort, spring corydalis or bird-in-a-bush. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1893. Artwork from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, volume 7, plate 231. Curtis's Botanical Magazine is the longest running botanical periodical featuring colour illustrations of plants and has been published continuously since 1787

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew