Author: cactusclassification

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ESPOSTOA

http://www.inter-color.at/lanzarote/Bildershow_Lanzarote/kakteengarten/galerie/700_1221.jpg
http://www.inter-color.at/lanzarote/Bildershow_Lanzarote/kakteengarten/galerie/700_1221.jpg

Autor: Britton & Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
A genus honouring Nicolas Esposto (1877-?), Peruvian botanist of Italian origin, founder of the National School of Agriculture of La Molina, Lima, Peru. Portrait is unknown.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of bushy or treelike plants, branching usually from the base or halfway up, with columnar stems having numerous ribs. Spines sturdy or hairy, sometimes covering the epidermis. Cephalium appearing laterally on adult reproductive stems.
Flowers nocturnal, usually self-sterile, tubular or bell-shaped, whitish to creamy yellow, outer tepals yellowish to pink, usually with a bad odour (for humans!), floral tube very short, scaly but not spiny, pollinated by bats (Anoura geoffroyi and Glossophagasoricina), but also by bees and hummingbirds (Espostoa mirabilis, Rauh 1958, Vogel 1968 in Emerson 2007). Fruits globose to egg-shaped, juicy, naked or bearing tufts of hairs, floral remains persistent. Seeds variable according to species, generally black and shiny, finely pitted.
• HABITAT
The genus Espostoa grows between 450 m and 2800 m or more in altitude, in rocky coastal valleys and canyons west of the Andes, sometimes on mountain steep slopes, on hills, among rocks, often among the low-growing vegetation, together with Bromeliads, in woodlands, sometimes lush forests (￡. utcubambensis) and often forms dense populations.
• DISTRIBUTION
Ecuador (Azuay-EI Oro, Loja), Peru (Amazonas, Ancash, Cajamarca, lea, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Piura).

Currently 11 recognised species + 3 subspecies:
– Espostoa calva* F.Ritter 1981
– Espostoa frutescens J.E. Madsen 1989
– Espostoa huanucoensis* HJohnson ex F.Ritter 1981
– Espostoa hylaea* F.Ritter 1964
– Espostoa lanata* (Kunth) Britton & Rose 1920
– Espostoa lanata subsp. lanianuligera* (Ritter) G.Charles 2002
– Espostoa lanata subsp. ruficeps (Ritter) G.Charles 2002
– Espostoa laticornua* Rauh & Backeb. 1957
– Espostoa melanostele* (Vaupel) Borg 1937
– Espostoa melanostele subsp. nana* (Ritter) G.Charles 2002
– Espostoa mirabilis* F.Ritter 1964 (not Haagespostoa mirabilis)
– Espostoa ritteri* Burning 1960 (not Haagespostoa ritteri)
– Espostoa superba* F.Ritter i960
– Espostoa utcubambensis G.Charles 2003

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

 

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ESCONTRIA

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8328/8353880840_a7e1861c87_b.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8328/8353880840_a7e1861c87_b.jpg

Autor: Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
A genus honouring Don Bias Escontria Bustamante (1848-1906), governor of the State of San Luis Potosi, in Mexico (see portrait above).
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of treelike plants (up to 7 m high), becoming densely branched with age, developing a trunk, with cylindrical branches having 7-8 triangular ribs. Areoles close-set, elongated. 10-20 radial spines, one sturdier central spine, all subulate.
Flowers nocturnal remaining open during the day, self-sterile, subapical, tubular to somewhat bell-shaped, yellowish, floral tube with overlapping, translucent scales, pollinated by hymenoptera (Apis mellifera, Bombus pensylvanicus, Xylocopa mexicanorum), hummingbirds (Amazilia violiceps, A. viridifrons, Cynanthus latirostris, C. sordidus, Hylocharis leucotis) and bats (Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris curasoae). Fruits scaly, fleshy, mucilaginous, red pulp edible. Seeds shiny and rough, brown-blackish, covered by mucilage, scattered by birds, reptiles or small mammals.
• HABITAT
The monotypic genus Escontria grows between 200 m and 1600 m in altitude, and forms forests in semi arid areas of deciduous woodland and xerophytic scrub where it is the dominant plant in the landscape. It prefers plains or slightly sloping hills, as well as areas of disturbance created by human activities, often associated with Pachycereus weberi and Neobuxbaumia tetetzo. Rains fall mainly in early summer. It is occasionally and locally grown for its fruits (chiotilla, jiotilla, qu ioti Ila).
• DISTRIBUTION
Mexico (Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Puebla).

1 only recognised species:
– Escontria chiotilla* (F.A.C.Weber) Rose 1906

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

 

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ESCOBARIA

http://nmrareplants.unm.edu/photoimages/images/escorc_h3.jpg
http://nmrareplants.unm.edu/photoimages/images/escorc_h3.jpg

Autor: Britton & Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
Agenus honouring the Mexican brothers Romulo (1872-1946) and Numa Escobar (1874-1949), founders of the Escuela Particular de Agricultura in 1906, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico (see portraits above, public domain).
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of low-growing, small solitary or caespitose plants, with stems globose or cylindrical, not ribbed. Spines usually short, finely aciculate, covering the epidermis of the plant.
Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, apical or appearing near the apex, with a short floral tube, the outer segments of the perianth ciliate, pink, magenta, purple or more rarely yellowish, pollinated among others by bees (Halictidae). Fruits globose or elongated, usually red, but also pink or green. Seeds subglobose, dull, light brown to blackish brown, foveolate (dotted with holes).
• HABITAT
The genus Escobaria grows on a variety of soils, mostly rocky or alluvial, among grasses, in rock crevices, in grasslands, on hilly reliefs, rocky slopes with low xerophytic vegetation, limestone terraces and outcrops, in mountains, in the shade of shrubs or in full sun, from 800 m up to 2650 m in altitude, together with other cacti.
• DISTRIBUTION
Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sonora), USA (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming).

Currently 9 recognised species (+ 3 subspecies):
– Escobaria albicolumnaria Hester 1941
– Escobaria alversonii (J.M.Coult.) N.P.Taylor 1997
– Escobaria chihuahuensis* Britton & Rose 1923 (possibly wrongly placed)
– Escobaria chihuahuensis subsp. henricksonii (Glass & Foster) N.P.Taylor 1998 (possibly wrongly placed)
– Escobaria desertii (Engelm.) Buxb. 1951 [ex Coryphantha chlorantha (Engelm.) Br.& R.]
– Escobaria hesteri* (Y.Wright) Buxb. 1951
– Escobaria laredoi* (Glass & Foster) N.P.Taylor 1979 (possibly wrongly placed)
– Escobaria sneedii Britton & Rose 1923
– Escobaria sneedii subsp. leei (Boed.) D.R.Hunt 1997
– Escobaria sneedii subsp. orcuttii (Boed.) Luethy 1999
– Escobaria tuberculosa* (Engelm.) Britton & Rose 1923
– Escobaria vivipara* (Nutt.) Buxb. 1951

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

 

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ERIOSYCE

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Eriosyce_aurata_02.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Eriosyce_aurata_02.JPG

Autor: Philippi

• ETYMOLOGY
“Woolly fig”, referring to the typical woolly fruit of most species of the genus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of usually large, solitary, globose plants, the apex more or less covered with wool, with fibrous roots, slightly turbiniform in E. rodentiophila. Ribs quite numerous (18-42 or more), usually tuberculate. Spines strongly aciculate, sturdy, strongly bent back upward.
Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, appearing depressed around the apex, cupulate, petals erect, pinkish to reddish, also yellowish, pollinated by insects (mostly solitary bees). Fruits often setose and densely woolly, floral remains persistent, consumed by rodents such as chinchillas (Chinchilla brevicaudata, C. chinchilla, the latter regrettably exinct, Lagidium sp.) and guanacos (Llama guanicoe). Seeds of variable size (1.8-3 mm), egg-shaped, black, slightly pitted, dispersed by rodents and guanacos.
• HABITAT
The genus Eriosyce s.s. grows along the Pacific coast in the Atacama desert, up to the mountains of the Andes, in extremely arid areas, exclusively on mineral soils, with little or no surrounding vegetation, among masses of fallen rocks, in crevices or between rocks, practically from sea level (E. rodentiophila) up to approximately 2000 m in altitude (￡. aurata).
• DISTRIBUTION (in the acceptance of Eriosyce s.s.)
Chile (Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo).

Currently 3 recognised species, but it is possible that others are valid:
– Eriosyce aurata* (Pfeiff.) Backeb. 1936 (= E. ceratistes ? = Eriosyce sondillon ?)
– Eriosyce rodentiophila* F.Ritter 1980
– Eriosyce spinibarbis F.Ritter 1980

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

 

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ERIOCEPHALA

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Parodia_leninghausii_(Lemon_ball),_Huntington.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Parodia_leninghausii_(Lemon_ball),_Huntington.jpg

Autor: Backeberg

• ETYMOLOGY
“Woolly head”, referring to the abundant wool at the top of the species in this genus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of plants becoming massive and columnar with age, with heliotropic apex, typically inclined, densely woolly. Ribs well defined, usually many, areoles close each other. Spines not hooked, usually fine, flexible and numerous.
Flowers diurnal, widely funnel-shaped to bell-shaped, with floral tube covered with brown or pale yellow wool, with stigmas of the pistil always yellow (almost always red in Notocactus s.s.), usually pollinated by hymenoptera. Fruits spherical, densely covered with wool and with bristles, basally dehiscent when dry, releasing seeds freely. Seeds very small and numerous, narrowly conical, more or less helmet or hat-shaped, finely warty and striate, reddish brown to black. Dispersion of seeds assured by ants.
• HABITAT
The genus Eriocephala grows in humid subtropical deciduous forests, or among bushes, on slopes of rocky hills, steep cliffs, precipices, on granitic, basaltic or sandstone rocks, near rivers, from 500 up to 2200 m in altitude, withstanding regular rainfall during the austral summer (1000 mm) and a wintry aridity. The species of this genus have a strong tendency to heliotropism. They grow together with Brassavola, Cyrtopodium, Dyckia, Peperomia, Tillandsia, and other Cactaceae like Brasiliopuntia, Cereus, Cleistocactus, Monvillea, Opuntia, Selenicereus etc. The soil is loamy and well drained. The presence of lichens denotes a strong atmospheric humidity, and the annual temperature ranges between +8 and 35°C.
• DISTRIBUTION
Argentina (Misiones), Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay (Cordillera, Guaira, Misiones, Paraguari), Uruguay.

Currently 6 recognised species:
– Eriocephala claviceps (F. Ritter) J.Lode 2013
– Eriocephala lenninghausii* (K.Schum.) Backeberg ex Heinrich 1940
– Eriocephala magnifica* (F.Ritter) Guiggi 2012
– Eriocephala nigrispina (K. Schumann) J.Lode 2013
– Eriocephala schumanniana* (Nicolai) Guiggi 2012 (= E. grossei)
– Eriocephala warasii (F.Ritter) Guiggi 2012

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)