Studies of molecular variation within the chloroplast genome have been used to determine phylogenetic relationships within the evolutionarily complex family Cactaceae. Changes detected in the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) involving structural rearrangements (inversions, deletions, etc.), restriction site variation, and gene sequence variation have provided phylogenetically informative data, useful in the construction of cladograms which infer evolutionary relatedness among the various cactus groups investigated. Examples are provided from studies of representative cacti for each of these types of detected cpDNA variation. Applicability of these methods to resolving fundamental questions in cactus evolution and systematics are also discussed.

A new species of Melocactus, M. inclinatus is described from 3 populations, 2 in Curaçao and 1 in Bonaire. It resembles M. macracanthos but differs in the dark green shiny epidermis, reddish brown spines and flat, snowwhite cephalium with red bristles around the base. It is considered rare and local.

The life and work of one of South Africa's leading botanical artists, Johanna Ellaphie Ward-Hilhorst (1920–1994) are outlined, along with samples of her work on succulents.

The range of flower-visiting bees of ^*Notocactus polyacanthus, N. sellowii, N. sucineus, and Gymnocalycium denudatum was recorded in the Serra do Sudeste, Rino Grande do Sul, Brazil. 6 out of 22 bee species were noted as frequent visitors to the cactus flowers. For each cactus species we determined the relative frequency of the bees in the flowers, and of stigma contacts during the flower visits. Flower fidelity was determined by analyses of the pollen loads of the females. The effectiveness of the bees as pollinators was recorded for each cactus species. Arhysosage cactorum (Andrenidae), Sarocolletes rugata (Colletidae), and Ancyloscelis fiebrigi (Anthophoridae), specialized solitary bees, are the most effective pollinators of the studied species of Notocactus and Gymnocalycium. Various species of Notocacteae share the same main pollinators. Polylectic and social bees contribute little to the pollination of the cactus species examined in the studied region.

Brief comments on the earlier collection of ceropegias by Archer are followed by a description of a new species, C. intracolor, similar to C. euryacme but differing in the shorter stem, narrow glabrous leaves and longer, bifid lobes of the outer corona. Its type locality near the runway at Nairobi airport is not endangered at present.

Recent researches on tissue culture since the Bradleya report of 1992 are tabulated systematically and reviewed. A summary is added of recent trends in research.

An account precursory to a monographic treatment of Cactaceae tribe Rhipsalideae De Candolle is presented covering the genera Lepismium Pfeiffer (6 subgenera: 14 spp.), Rhipsalis Gaertner (5 subgenera: 33 spp.), Hatiora Britton & Rose (2 subgenera: 5 spp.) and Schlumbergera Lemaire (6 spp.). Keys to enable identification of subgenera and species are provided for each genus. For Rhipsalis, 3 species and 2 subspecies are named for the first time and throughout the tribe various new name combinations are validated at the ranks of subgenus, subspecies and forma. Bibliographic and typification data are provided for all accepted names and their basionyms, and a summary of geographical distribution and ecology, where known, is given for each species and/or subspecies recognized. Names of uncertain application are discussed and an index to all commonly encountered binomial synonyms is provided.

A new species of Haworthia from the False Central Lower Karoo, a few kilometres north east of Cookhouse in the Eastern Cape, is described as H. joeyae. Its closest allies are H. altilinea Haw. and H. pilifera Bak. and the points of difference are noted.

Steven is enamoured of Stella, love child of Rudolf and Flora, and pursues her throughout the wilderness of Africa. Nicholas and Gustav are rivals for the hand of Louisa, who sets them a contest, ICBN rules. Stella is eventually cornered in the Hanging Gardens of Mesa, where she settles to raise a family (several thousand actually). Gustav mortally wounds Nicholas with a protolog, but himself dies of an overdose of priory tea. Louisa takes unholy vows of non-silence and withdraws to a herbarium to spend the remaining 101 years of her tragically short life splitting hairs. Steven finally espouses Stella and changes her name with a wedding gift of new combinations.

An alphabetic nomenclator to epithets that have been published in the genus Opuntia at specific and infraspecific levels is presented. Special attention has been given to typification wherever possible, but taxonomic judgements have been avoided. An introduction and brief history of opuntia has been contributed by Roy Mottram.

A postscript is added to the account of Sessé & Mociño's cactus paintings in Bradleya 12 by various authors, mainly concerned with the identity of the species illustrated. Hylocereus undatus is retypified.

The colour plate of Ornithogalum sardienii on p.32 was reproduced at 75% of its original size, so that the magnifications recorded on the plate need reducing accordingly.