Autor: Ritter
• ETYMOLOGY
“Closed head cactus”, defining the almost closed, tubular flowers, and the pseudocephalium, the two main features of this genus.
• DESCRIPTION
Monospecific genus of columnar shrubby plants, branching from the base, low ribs with a V-shaped groove; spines finely setose .
Flowers diurnal, self sterile, tubular, red, appearing in a lateral pseudocephalium with long bristles, probably pollinated by hummingbirds. Fruits reddish. Seeds shiny, black.
• HABITAT
The monotypic genus Cephalocleistocactus grows endemically in a limited area in Bolivia at about 2000 m in altitude.
• DISTRIBUTION
Bolivia (La Paz).
Currently only one probable species:
– Cephalocleistocactus chrysocephalus* F.Ritter 1959
References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" - ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)