Jump to content

Espostoa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Espostoa
Espostoa lanata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cereeae
Subtribe: Trichocereinae
Genus: Espostoa
Britton & Rose[1]
Type species
Espostoa lanata
Species

See text.

Synonyms[1]
  • Binghamia Britton & Rose, nom. illeg.
  • Pseudoespostoa Backeb.
  • Thrixanthocereus Backeb.

Espostoa is a genus of columnar cacti, comprising 16 species known from the Andes of southern Ecuador and Peru. It usually lives at an altitude of between 800m and 2500m. Its fruit is edible, sweet, and juicy. The genus is named after Nicolas E. Esposto, a renowned botanist from Lima.[2]

Espostoa melanostele subsp. nana

Description

[edit]

Members of this genus are similar to those in the Mexican genus Cephalocereus. They have pink-white flowers, and are covered with spines and white hair. In adulthood, a cephalium sometimes appears, similar to the Mexican genus Cephalocereus.[3] Only the older specimens can divide.[citation needed]

Taxonomy

[edit]

They were discovered by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland in the early nineteenth century.

They are appreciated for their decorative qualities due to their white fleece. They can be propagated by seed. For full development they must be planted in the ground. The cultivated specimens very rarely flourish.

Like all cacti, Espostoa requires a sunny location and well-drained soil. But in summer, it appreciates fertilizer and wetter conditions. In winter, it needs a rest[clarification needed], but the temperature must not drop below 12 °C.

Species list

[edit]

As of October 2023, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1]

Image Scientific name Distribution
Espostoa blossfeldiorum (Werderm.) Buxb. Peru
Espostoa calva F.Ritter Peru (Amazonas)
Espostoa cremnophila Hoxey Peru
Espostoa frutescens Madsen Ecuador
Espostoa hylaea F.Ritter Peru (Amazonas)
Espostoa lanata (Kunth) Britton & Rose Ecuador, Peru
Espostoa melanostele (Vaupel) Borg Peru
Espostoa mirabilis F.Ritter Peru (Huanuco)
Espostoa senilis (F.Ritter) N.P.Taylor Peru (Ancash)
Espostoa superba F.Ritter Peru (Ancash)
Espostoa utcubambensis G.J.Charles Peru (Amazonas)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Espostoa Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  2. ^ Yetman, David (2008-01-31). The Great Cacti. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-4637-4.
  3. ^ Britton, Nathaniel Lord; Joseph Nelson, J. N. (1920). The Cactaceae. Vol. 2. Carnegie Institution of Washington. p. 60.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Innes C, Wall B (1995). Cacti' Succulents and Bromaliads. Cassell & The Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Edward F. Anderson : "The Cactus Family" (2001)
[edit]

Data related to Espostoa at Wikispecies