22 January 1965.
Ancash, Peru
Locality: Huaraz Province, Pariacoto District: Slopes just above the village of Pariacoto.
Elevation: 3048m.
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Extremely steep slopes. The soil appeared to be of a decomposing granitic nature and supported a very sparse desert-like vegetation.
Comment: "The magnificent flowers reminded one of giant daffodils approximately 15 cm in diameter. They were butter yellow with a very fragrant aroma. [...] The plants were blooming before the presence of mature foliage. None of the 7 bulbs collected showed evidence of off-sets. The two larger bulbs were to 6.5 cm in diameter and were flowering plants. Five younger pre-flowering bulbs ranged from 2 to 3 cms in diameter. The young foliage exhibited a marvelous fresh-light green, very clean appearance in an area where other growing things were dry and dull looking, or grayish colored cacti." Large quantities of plants confined to a restricted area less than 500 hectares in extent. "Collection of a few individual plants was a difficult task. Combined with the extremely steep topography of nearly 100 percent grade, a slipping hard granular soil surface and very little protective support, digging the plants with bulb depths of 25 to 30 cms with a crowbar-like tool was a real challenge."
Collector(s):