| Cleistocactus hildegardiae | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Cleistocactus |
| Species: | C. hildegardiae |
| Binomial name | |
| Cleistocactus hildegardiae F.Ritter | |
| Synonyms | |
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Cleistocactus hildegardiae is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus .
Cleistocactus hildegardiae grows as a small shrub with often richly branched, spreading shoots that reach heights of 20 to 50 centimeters with diameters of 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters. There are 15 to 19 low, wavy ribs. The areoles on it are close together. The thorns are needle-like and straight. The 5 to 8 central spines are golden yellow to reddish brown and 1 to 3 centimeters long, thicker than radial spines. The 18 to 28 light yellow marginal spines are 3 to 8 millimeters long.
The ruby red to purple flowers are 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters long and 5–6mm wide. The spherical, dark green fruits later turn orange and reach a diameter of up to 1 centimeter. [1]
Cleistocactus hildegardiae is found in the dry valleys of Bolivia in the Río Paicho valley, Tarija Department in the Eustaquio Méndez Province and Río Pilaya in Chuquisaca at elevations of 2600 to 3300 meters. [2]
The first description was made in 1980 by Friedrich Ritter. [3] The specific epithet hildegardiae honors the nursery owner Frau Hildegard Winter (1893–1975), Friedrich Ritter's sister.
Media related to Cleistocactus hildegardiae at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Cleistocactus hildegardiae at Wikispecies