Rauhocereus | |
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Rauhocereus riosaniensis in cultivation | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Tribe: | Cereeae |
Subtribe: | Trichocereinae |
Genus: |
Rauhocereus Backeb. [2] |
Species: | R. riosaniensis
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Binomial name | |
Rauhocereus riosaniensis Backeb.
[2]
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Synonyms [3] | |
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Rauhocereus is a monotypic genus of cacti ( family Cactaceae). Its only species is Rauhocereus riosaniensis, [2] which has nocturnal flowers. [4] It is known from northern Peru ( Rio Santa, Rio Zana, Chamaya and Jaén).
The mostly shrubby Rauhocereus riosaniensis, usually branching from the ground, often forms thickets up to 4 meters high. The upright, columnar shoots are bluish-green and have a diameter of 8 to 15 centimeters. The 5 to 6 ribs are broken up into many warts. 2 to 8 strong thorns, up to 5 centimeters long, emerge from the woolly areoles. The lower ones are initially reddish, the upper ones yellowish. Later all become greyish-white.
The bell-shaped flowers appear near the shoot tip. They open at night, are 8 to 10 centimeters long and have a diameter of up to 5 centimeters. The flower cup and the flower tube are covered with small scales and curly brown hairs.
The red, fleshy fruits are ovoid with a persistent flower rest. They contain small, ovoid, shiny black seeds. [5]
The genus and its only species were first described in 1957 by Curt Backeberg. [2] As of October 2023 [update], Plants of the World Online accepted two subspecies: [3]
Rauhocereus riosaniensis is found in northern Peru in the Amazonas and Cajamarca regions at altitudes of 500 to 1000 meters.[ citation needed]