Images Dated 2018

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