Cleistocactus pungens

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Cleistocactus pungens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Cleistocactus
Species:
C. pungens
Binomial name
Cleistocactus pungens
F.Ritter
Synonyms
  • Cleistocactus brevispinus F.Ritter 1981
  • Loxanthocereus brevispinus Rauh & Backeb. 1958

Cleistocactus pungens is a species of columnar cactus in the genus Cleistocactus, endemic to Peru.

Description

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Cleistocactus pungens grows as a shrub with spreading shoots and reaches heights of 1 to 1.5 meters with diameters of 3 to 4 centimeters. The grey-green stems have about 12-15 wavy ribs. The areoles on it, which are initially brown and later gray, are close together at 5–7mm apart. The straight, needle-like, stiff, protruding thorns are initially dark reddish brown and later gray. The usually 2 to 5 central spines are 2 to 5 centimeters long, the 8 to 12 marginal spines are 2 to 12 millimeters long.

The horizontally protruding, red purple-colored flowers are slightly curved downwards above the pericarpel. They are 7-8 centimeters long and have a diameter of 6-8 millimeters. The spherical, pale red fruits reach a diameter of up to 2 centimeters.[1]

  • Fruit
    Fruit
  • Top and spines
    Top and spines

Distribution

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Cleistocactus pungens is widespread in the Peruvian regions of Ayacucho and Apurímac at altitudes of 1100 to 2400 meters.[2]

  • Plant blooming in habitat
    Plant blooming in habitat
  • Habitat near Caserio Santa Rosa, Peru
    Habitat near Caserio Santa Rosa, Peru
  • Plant growth habit in habitat
    Plant growth habit in habitat

Taxonomy

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The first description was made in 1964 by Friedrich Ritter.[3] The specific epithet pungens comes from Latin, means 'stinging' and refers to the thorns of the species.

References

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  1. ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 123. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
  2. ^ Lowry, Martin (2016). "A synopsis of the genusCleistocactusLemaire (Cactaceae)". Bradleya. 34 (34). British Cactus and Succulent Society: 148–186. doi:10.25223/brad.n34.2016.a6. ISSN 0265-086X.
  3. ^ Ritter, F. (1964). "Diagnosen von neuen Kakteen". Taxon. 13 (3). Wiley: 114–118. doi:10.2307/1216628. ISSN 0040-0262. JSTOR 1216628.
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  • Media related to Cleistocactus pungens at Wikimedia Commons
  • Data related to Cleistocactus pungens at Wikispecies