Cleistocactus crassicaulis
| Cleistocactus crassicaulis | |
|---|---|
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| Cleistocactus crassicaulis in Alter Botanischer Garten Hamburg | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Cleistocactus |
| Species: | C. crassicaulis |
| Binomial name | |
| Cleistocactus crassicaulis F.Ritter 1980 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Cleistocactus crassicaulis is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus.[1]
Description
[edit]Cleistocactus cassicaulis is a shrubby cactus with slightly spreading to spreading gray-green shoots that branch at the base. It grows to heights of 1.5 to 3 meters and has a diameter of 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in). The plant features 16 to 18 undulating ribs, with areoles spaced about 1 cm (0.39 in) apart along these ribs. The spines are golden-yellow, straight, and range from 1 to 4 cm (0.39 to 1.57 in) in length. Typically, there is one strong, needle-like central spine, sometimes several, measuring 2 to 4 cm (0.79 to 1.57 in). Additionally, there are 5 to 6 radial spines, each between 5 and 15 mm (0.59 in) long.
The plant produces many radially symmetrical green flowers near the tips of its shoots, which open at night. These flowers are approximately 2.2 to 3 cm (0.87 to 1.18 in) long. The green bracts beneath the flowers are very small, about 3 mm (0.12 in). The spherical fruits are light yellow to reddish-yellow, measuring 1.5 to 2 cm (0.59 to 0.79 in) in diameter. They split irregularly from the tip when ripe.[2][3]
Top of plant
Spines
Distribution
[edit]Cleistocactus cassicaulis is native to Bolivia, specifically in the departments of Chuquisaca and Tarija, where it grows in Yungas at elevations between 750 and 2,300 meters.
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was first described in 1961 by Martín Cárdenas, based on a plant collected in Angosto de Villa Montes in Tarija Department, Bolivia. It was named for its tick-like stems. In 2002, Roy Mottram classified it as a subspecies of Cleistocactus tominensis. However, it is distinguished from C. tominensis by having fewer ribs and radial spines, and it occurs at lower elevations.[3] Later, it was recognized as a distinct species.
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Cleistocactus crassicaulis Cárdenas". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 121. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
- 1 2 Lowry, Martin (2016). "A synopsis of the genusCleistocactusLemaire (Cactaceae)". Bradleya. 34 (34). British Cactus and Succulent Society: 148–186. doi:10.25223/brad.n34.2016.a6. ISSN 0265-086X.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Cleistocactus crassicaulis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Cleistocactus crassicaulis at Wikispecies
