QUEPO XIV - 2000 Contents:

• The Linnean Cacti 3 - C.Ostolaza We complete our review of the Linnaean cacti: Opuntia tuna; O.cochenillifera; O.curassavica; Epiphyllum phyllanthus; Pereskia aculeata and P.portulacifolia.
• Glossary "N" - Latinlover We list cacti-and-succulent genera names beginning with the letter "N". Each one is followed with a short explanation.
• Ethnobotany 7 - C.Ostolaza The Inka Empire knew and used several cacti like Echinopsis cuzcoensis and some Opuntia spp. They appear depicted on ceramic pots called "aribalos". There is also evidence of the use of Echinopsis pachanoi ("San Pedro") by the Inkas according to some Spanish chronicles.
• Art - Craso The well-known Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created several artworks showing different cacti species. We present here some full color reproductions.
• Literature - Craso The Peruvian poet Manuel Gonzales Prada wrote a love poem called "Oblivion´s Flower" in which he mentions cacti from the mountains.
• Philately - Cactifilico The Sonoran desert, in a beautiful panel from the USA, was chosen by Cactofílico for this year issue of Quepo. It consists of 10 stamps showing resident flora and fauna species, including four cacti.
• Gastronomy - F.Cacares et al. The Peruvian biologist Fátima Cáceres shows us how the fruit of Corryocactus brevistylus called "sancayo" could be used as a new agroindustrial resource.
• Hortobotanic Garden, Rome - O. Pardo The ancient "Jardin Hortobotánico" in Rome is introduced to us by Ms. Oriana Pardo. The article is complemented with very nice pictures.
• San Marcos Garden, Cajamarca, N.Cieza. Upon residents´ effort, San Marcos province (Cajamarca, Peru) is building a new public garden.
• Cacti Fruits Chillon Valley - G.Vilcapoma We report six edible cacti fruits from the Chillon river valley (Lima): Armatocereus matucanensis, Cleistocactus acanthurus subsp. faustianus, Echinopsis peruvianus, Haageocereus acranthus, Melocactus peruvianus and Tephrocactus floccosus.
• Aloe vera - M.Lopez Some features and uses of Aloe barbadensis are reviewed in this paper. This useful plant is known as far back as 3000 years ago.
• Succulents - G.Lombardi We review Tumboa (Welwitschia mirabilis), perhaps the oddest of all plants due to its form, taxonomy and adaptation to the Namib desert has defied botanist´ imagination since its 1859 discovery. Also the 'Parque de las Leyendas' Botanical Garden (Lima), is presented as a protective repository of this vulnerable African species, where the first seedlings of tumboa in Peru are being successfully cultivated.
• Lima's Cacti - G.Pino Lima native cacti, their rescue and successful cultivation at the "Parque de las Leyendas" Botanical Garden in Lima, is reported.
• SPECS´ 99 Show Last November 1999 Specs held its C. & S. Show in Magdalena del Mar district, Lima. We interview architect Oscar Alvarado who was in charge of this show.
• Growers - Carmen Rosa This time we pay a visit to Mr. Martin Pachas, owner of a nice cacti and other succulents collection, grown skillfully, both indoors and outdoors.
• Confidential - M.Caballero SPECS main activities for 2000 are listed and commented
• Book Reviews - M.Caballero María Caballero comments two recently published books on cacti: "Sacred Cacti" by K. Trout and "Cites Cactaceae Checklist" by David Hunt. Both are a reading must for those who want to be well informed.