| Cleistocactus crassicaulis | |
|---|---|
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| Cleistocactus crassicaulis in Alter Botanischer Garten Hamburg | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| 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]
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 centimeters. The plant features 16 to 18 undulating ribs, with areoles spaced about 1 cm apart along these ribs. The spines are golden-yellow, straight, and range from 1 to 4 centimeters in length. Typically, there is one strong, needle-like central spine, sometimes several, measuring 2 to 4 centimeters. Additionally, there are 5 to 6 radial spines, each between 5 and 15 millimeters 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 centimeters long. The green bracts beneath the flowers are very small, about 3 millimeters. The spherical fruits are light yellow to reddish-yellow, measuring 1.5 to 2 centimeters in diameter. They split irregularly from the tip when ripe. [2] [3]
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.
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.
Media related to Cleistocactus crassicaulis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Cleistocactus crassicaulis at Wikispecies