| Oreocereus leucotrichus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Oreocereus |
| Species: | O. leucotrichus |
| Binomial name | |
| Oreocereus leucotrichus (Phil.) Wagenkn. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Oreocereus leucotrichus is a species of cactus native to Peru and Chile. [2]
Oreocereus leucotrichus grows as a shrub with numerous, upwardly curved shoots branching from the base and forming dense groups. The columnar shoots are 1 to 2 meters long and have a diameter of 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in). There are 10 to 15 flat and shallowly grooved ribs. The areoles on them are covered with numerous, white to black, 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) long hairs. The spines arising from the areoles are strong, yellowish to chestnut brown or orange and do not turn gray with age. The one to four central spines are slightly curved and 5 to 8 cm (2.0 to 3.1 in) long. The five to ten radial spines are up to 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long.
The crimson flowers appear near the tips of the shoots. They are 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in) long. The spherical to slightly elongated fruits are reddish yellow to yellowish green and have a diameter of 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in). [3]
Oreocereus leucotrichus is widespread in the Peruvian regions of Ayacucho and Arequipa as well as in northern Chile at altitudes of 2000 to 3500 meters.
The first description as Echinocactus leucotrichus was made in 1891 by Rudolph Amandus Philippi. The specific epithet leucotrichus comes from Greek, means 'white-haired' and refers to the white hairs that cover the species. Rodolfo Wagenknecht placed them in the genus Oreocereus in 1956. [4] Nomenclatural synonyms are Arequipa leucotricha (Phil.) Britton & Rose (1922), Borzicactus leucotrichus (Phil.) Kimnach (1960) and Echinopsis leucotricha (Phil.) Anceschi & Magli (2013).
Oreocereus is a genus of cacti, known only from high altitudes of the Andes. Its name means "mountain cereus", formed from the Greek prefix oreo- and the Neo-Latin cereus, meaning wax or torch.
Leucostele atacamensis (cardón) is a species of cactus from Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. The wood of this species can be used in building and in making furniture.
Oreocereus celsianus, or the old man of the mountain is a member of the family Cactaceae native to the high lands of the Andes in South America, and is named for its fluffy white hair, which may protect it from intense sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Weberbauerocereus weberbaueri is a species of Weberbauerocereus from Peru.
Oreocereus trollii, commonly known as the Old Man of the Andes cactus, is a species of cacti native to Argentina and Bolivia. Though listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the plant is collected extensively, and in some areas is threatened.
Lobivia ferox, is a species of Lobivia found in Bolivia and Argentina.
Lobivia hertrichiana is a species of Lobivia found in Bolivia and Peru.
Lobivia pampana is a species of Lobivia found in Peru.
Polaskia chichipe is a succulent cactus native to a small area of mountains of northern Oaxaca and southern Puebla, Mexico. It grows in xerophytic shrubland between 1,600 and 2,300 meters above sea level.
Neoraimondia arequipensis, synonym Neoraimondia macrostibas, is a tree-like cactus native to western Peru. It was first described in 1835 as Cereus arequipensis.
Haageocereus decumbens is a species of Haageocereus found in S. Peru to Chile (Tarapacá)
Haageocereus pseudomelanostele is a species of Haageocereus found in Peru.
Weberbauerocereus cephalomacrostibas is a species of cactus in the family Cactaceae. It is found in Arequipa Department, Peru and consists of 2 subpopulations.
Neowerdermannia chilensis is a species of Neowerdermannia found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Browningia hertlingiana is a species of Browningia found in Peru.
Oreocereus doelzianus is a species of cacti native to Peru.
Haageocereus versicolor is a species of Haageocereus found in Peru.
Oreocereus ritteri is a species of Oreocereus found in Peru.
Haageocereus platinospinus is a species of Haageocereus found in Peru.
Oreocereus hempelianus is a species of cactus native to Peru and Chile.
Media related to Oreocereus leucotrichus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Oreocereus leucotrichus at Wikispecies