Cephalocereus macrocephalus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Genus: | Cephalocereus |
Species: | C. macrocephalus |
Binomial name | |
Cephalocereus macrocephalus F.A.C.Weber ex K.Schum. [2] | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Cephalocereus macrocephalus, synonym Neobuxbaumia macrocephala, is a species of cactus endemic to Mexico (the states of Puebla and Oaxaca). [2]
Cephalocereus macrocephalus usually grows in branches, but sometimes also singly, and reaches heights of 7 to 15 meters. The trunk has a diameter of 30 to 60 centimeters. The columnar, cloudy green shoots are up to 12 meters long and have a diameter of 30 to 40 centimeters. The 17 to 26 ribs are low and blunt. One of the one to three, 4 to 5 centimeter long central spines is flattened. The spread, grayish eight to twelve marginal spines are up to 1 centimeter long. The terminal pseudocephalium consists of large areoles that bear abundant yellow wool and numerous bristles.
The cylindrical to tubular flowers appear in a circle from the pseudocephalium near the shoot tips. They are white, 1.2 to 1.6 centimeters long and reach a diameter of 2.1 to 2.8 centimeters. Its pericarpel and flower tube are covered with small tubercles and broad scales. The purple-red, spherical fruits are up to 2 centimeters long and covered with scales. [3]
The species was first described in 1897 by Karl Moritz Schumann with the name accredited to Frédéric Albert Constantin Weber. [4] [5] The specific epithet macrocephalus is derived from the Greek words makros for 'big' and kephalos for 'head' and refers to the large terminal cephalium.
Cephalocereus macrocephalus is widespread in the Mexican state of Puebla in the Tehuacán Valley. [6]
The flowers of Cephalocereus macrocephalus are mainly nocturnal, opening at sunset (19:00) and closing in the morning (10:00). The bats Choeronycteris mexicana , Leptonycteris curasoae , and Leptonycteris nivalis are the main pollinators that promote seed production. Fruits ripen from June to August and are consumed by bats and bird species that probably act as seed dispersers.[ citation needed ]
The microbiota associated with this species include methylotrophic bacteria, both in its stem surface and inside the plant. [7] Their function might be related to the growth promotion of C. macrocephala, but it has not been demonstrated yet.[ citation needed ]
Cephalocereus is a genus of slow-growing, columnar-shaped, blue-green cacti. The genus is native to Mexico.
Escontria is a genus of cactus. The only species is Escontria chiotilla, the chiotilla or jiotilla.
Brasiliopuntia is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. It contains only one species, Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis.
Karl Moritz Schumann was a German botanist.
Arthrocereus glaziovii is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Cleistocactus hyalacanthus is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus. The name comes from the Greek kleistos meaning closed because the flowers hardly open.
Harrisia pomanensis is a species of cactus.
Soehrensia thelegona is a species of cactus in the Soehrensia genus.
Acanthocalycium spiniflorum is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae from Argentina.
Strophocactus wittii, synonym Selenicereus wittii, known as the Amazon moonflower, is a species of plant in the genus Strophocactus in the cactus family (Cactaceae), and is one of several species commonly called "moonflowers". It was first described in 1900 and is one of three species of cactus found in the central Amazon basin.
Acanthocalycium rhodotrichum is a species of Acanthocalycium found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Xiquexique gounellei is a species of plant in the genus Xiquexique of the cactus family. Common names include "Alastrado", "Chique-Chique", "Xique-Xique" and "Xique-Xique das Pedras".
Cleistocactus laniceps is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus.
Cleistocactus parviflorus is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus.
Cephalocereus fulviceps is a species of Cephalocereus from Mexico.
Cephalocereus columna-trajani is a species of cactus from Mexico.
Cephalocereus mezcalaensis is a species of Cephalocereus from Mexico.
Cephalocereus tetetzo is a species of cactus from Mexico.
Cephalocereus apicicephalium is a species of cactus from Mexico.
Cephalocereus polylophus is a species of cactus endemic to Mexico. Often grown under the synonym Neobuxbaumia polylopha, it is popular with cactus growers and reproduces well in cultivation.