Bipinnate Legumes and Columnar Cacti: Rethinking Desert Icons in Forest Ecosystems

Contrary to the popular image of cacti as isolated denizens of barren deserts, many species— particularly columnar cacti such as Echinopsis spp.—are in fact native to diverse forested environments. In this visually rich presentation, ethnobotanist Neil Logan challenges common cactus myths through striking field photography captured from Ecuador to northern Argentina.

Participants will explore the unique ecological relationships between sacred columnar cacti and bipinnate legumes like Anadenanthera and Prosopis, revealing unexpected plant communities thriving in dry forests, savannas, and transitional zones.

Logan highlights not only the botanical and ecological significance of these associations but also their deep cultural relevance across South American traditions. This session invites ethnobotanists, conservationists, horticulturalists, and forest restoration practitioners to reimagine cactus ecology through a lens that bridges science, tradition, and biocultural landscapes.