| Chiotilla | |
|---|---|
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| Chiotilla cactus | |
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| Ripe jiotilla fruit | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Echinocereeae |
| Genus: | Escontria Rose |
| Species: | E. chiotilla |
| Binomial name | |
| Escontria chiotilla | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Escontria is a genus of cactus. The only species is Escontria chiotilla, the chiotilla or jiotilla.
The tree-like Escontria chiotilla is heavily branched with flat tops, forms clear trunks and reaches a height of 4 to 7 meters. The light green, cylindrical shoots have a diameter of 8 to 12 centimeters. It has 7 or 8 acute ribs, are densely covered with dark gray, elongated areoles that sometimes flow into one another. The central spine, which is usually one red-orange to yellow, later turns gray and is up to 20 millimeters long. The 10 to 20 marginal spines, sometimes arranged somewhat comb-shaped, are yellowish-brown, later become grayish-white and are up to 12 millimeters long.
The yellow, tubular to somewhat bell-shaped flowers, which open during the day, appear below the shoot tip. It bears dark red fruit comparable in appearance and texture to Pitaya, but smaller (3,5 cm). [2] The spherical, fleshy, scaled fruits are purple-brown and have a diameter of 5 centimeters or more. [3]
The species originates from Mexico (Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, southern Puebla).
The first plants were discovered in 1864 by Frédéric Albert Constantin Weber, who sent material to George Engelmann. However, the first description as Cereus chiotilla was not made until 1897 by Karl Moritz Schumann. [4] The botanical name of the genus honors the Mexican engineer and temporary governor of San Luis Potosí Blas Escontria and Bustamante (1848–1906). The specific epithet chiotilla derives from the local name “Chiotilla” for the edible fruits of the plant. Spanish common names are “Chiotilla” and “Jiotilla”. In 1906, Joseph Nelson Rose placed it in the genus Escontria, which he had established. [5]
Another nomenclature synonym is Myrtillocactus chiotilla (F.A.C.Weber ex K.Schum.) P.V.Heath (1992).
Neoraimondia is a genus of medium to large cacti from Peru. The genus is named after the Italian-born Peruvian explorer, naturalist, and scientist, Antonio Raimondi.
Stetsonia coryne, the toothpick cactus, is the sole species in the cactus genus Stetsonia. Stetsonia coryne grows to a height of 15 to 25 ft tall. It has white flowers.
Oroya is a genus of cacti, originating from Peru. The genus Oroya is widespread in the Peruvian Andes.
Uebelmannia gummifera is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitat is dry savanna. 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.
Parodia schumanniana is a quite rare species of succulent plant in the family Cactaceae. The specific epithet schumanniana honors the cactus specialist Karl Moritz Schumann.
Soehrensia thelegona is a species of cactus in the Soehrensia genus.
Stenocereus stellatus is a flowering plant in the family Cactaceae that is found in Oaxaca, Mexico
Armatocereus cartwrightianus is a species of Armatocereus from Ecuador and Peru.
Armatocereus godingianus is a species of Armatocereus from Ecuador and Peru.
Acanthocalycium spiniflorum is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae from Argentina.
Acanthocalycium thionanthum is a species of Acanthocalycium from Argentina.
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".
Matucana aureiflora is a species of Matucana found in Peru.
Melocactus bahiensis is a species of Melocactus found in Bahia, Brazil.
Matucana weberbaueri is a species of Matucana found in Peru.
Cleistocactus laniceps is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus.
Cleistocactus parviflorus is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus.
Haageocereus acranthus is a species of Haageocereus found in Peru.
Oroya peruviana is a species of cacti, originating from Peru
